Preparing for the Next Space Race: Legislation and Policy Recommendations for Space Colonies

Abstract

This paper discusses the ambitions of the commercial space industry to build habitats in order to colonize space. It also discusses why space colonization is important to humanity. It then turns to the current international law framework to study if space colonization is legal. Next it looks at what legislation and policy the United States should pursue to successfully allow for colonization. It makes specific recommendations regarding both a civil and criminal law framework to ensure that there is adequate governance of initial colonies in space, without hindering future development.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 2018
Accession Number
AD1053024

Entities

People

  • Paul M. Gesl

Organizations

  • Air Command and Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Agreements
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Coast Guard
  • Commerce
  • Congress
  • District Of Columbia
  • Geography
  • Governments
  • Humanities
  • International Law
  • International Relations
  • Law
  • National Security
  • Outer Space
  • Property Rights
  • Security
  • Space Stations
  • Space Transportation
  • Spacecraft
  • Transportation
  • United States
  • United States Government

Readers

  • Aquatic Ecology
  • Government and Public Administration Law.
  • Strategic Security Studies

Technology Areas

  • Space