US Interpretation of International Space Policies Regarding Commercial Resource Acquisitions
Abstract
Within the next 5 to 10 years commercial corporations will begin exploratory mining operations on asteroids orbiting the earth. While this is a huge leap forward in human development and technological advancement, current national regulation and law providing mining rights in space do not exist. International treaties and recognized space law, in regards to commercial collection and exploitation of resources, is vague and leaves a great deal to interpretation. The purpose of this comparative case study is to determine how the US interprets what is known as 'Common Access Areas,' or those areas outside of national jurisdictional authority, in regards to commercial mining operations. The study is meant to identify if legal precedent exists in similar areas that will either allow the U.S. to continue commercial mining in space without international clarification, or if precedent indicates that international accord must met.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 12, 2015
- Accession Number
- ADA623055
Entities
People
- Jeffrey G. Anderson
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College