In General Assembly Resolution 1802 (XVII) of December 14, 1962 it was indicated that there should be liability for space vehicle accidents. Leading up to this determination were two draft conventions submitted to COPUOS by the United States. On September 11, 1962, COPUOS received "Draft Proposals on Liability for Space Vehicle Accidents," in which a launcher was to be accountable for "personal injury, loss of life, or property damage. ..." On December 8, 1962, the United States also submitted to COPUOS a "Draft Declaration of Principles Relating to the Exploration and Use of Outer Space," which stipulated that a launcher would "bear international responsibility for the launching, and is internationally liable for personal injury, loss of life, or property damage caused by such vehicle on the earth or in air space. . . ." It will be noted that the spatial area excluded space, per se. The Soviet Union also put forward a "Draft Declaration of the Basic Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space" in which reference was made to liability. It suggested on April 16, 1963 that "11. A State undertaking activities in outer space bears international responsibility for damage done to a foreign State or to its physical or juridical persons as a result of such activities." The Soviet draft did not impose the spatial limits suggested by the United States. On December 13, 1963, the General Assembly adopted Resolution 1962 (XVIII) "Declaration of Legal Principles Governing the Activities of U.N. Doc. A/AC.105/L.5; U.N. Doc. A/5181, Annex III. U.N. Doc. A/C.1/881, p. 23. U.N. Doc. A/AC.105/C.2/L.6.
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