work is already in progress with a view to developing offensive space weapons. If this process is not halted, the arms race will further expand and intensify in every area, absorbing fresh material and intellectual resources and placing insurmountable obstacles in the path of the joint peaceful space activity of States. The Soviet Union proposes that the General Assembly should once again resolutely call upon all States, especially those with a major space potential, to reach agreement without delay on effective measures to prevent an arms race in outer space, thus creating the conditions for broad international co-operation in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes. The Soviet Union proposes the adoption of a set of concrete measures which would help States to join their efforts in the peaceful exploration of outer space and the utilization of space technology for the good of all States, among other things providing developing countries with all-round assistance in this field. It is obvious that the successful solution of this problem, which affects the whole of mankind, will become possible if agreements can be reached effectively ensuring the non-militarization of outer space. Motivated by the desire to promote rapid progress with regard to ensuring the peaceful exploration of outer space, the Soviet Union submits for consideration at the forthcoming session of the General Assembly a document entitled: "The basic directions and principles of international co-operation in the peaceful exploration of outer space under conditions of its non­ militarization (proposals by the USSR)". c^/^3 Page 3 I would be grateful if you would consider this letter as an explanatory memorandum as provided for under the rules of procedure of the General Assembly and have it distributed, together with the attached document "The basic directions and principles of international co-operation in the peaceful 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the development of space weapons, the need for international cooperation to prevent an arms race, and the proposal for concrete measures to ensure the peaceful exploration of outer space. This suggests that the topic is related to the exploration and use of outer space, which is a scientific and technological endeavor.

**Category**
Science and technology