Blog

Space Resource Utilization and the Non-Appropriation Principle: Challenges and Opportunities for International Space Law

Book Title: Legal and Policy Regime of Outer Space and Global Governance

Editor:  Dr. Ananya Rahul Bibave

ISBN:  978-81-979197-2-5

Chapter: 7

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59646/lpc7/257

Author: Vaishali, Assistant Professor, PES Modern Law College, Pune, Maharashtra, India.

Abstract

Utilizing resources in space, often referred to as SRU, involves the extraction and use of natural resources from outer space, such as asteroids, the Moon, and other celestial bodies. SRU poses significant challenges to the rule of anti-appropriation in space law, which prohibits the national appropriation of extraterrestrial objects. The article addresses main research question: How can SRU be reconciled with the rule of anti-appropriation in Space law? The article has three objectives: (1) to analyze the origin, content, and ambit of anti-appropriation rule as established by the Outer Space Treaty (OST) and other relevant sources of international law; (2) to examine the potential implications of SRU for the anti-appropriation rule, and to explore the possible interpretations and solutions that could harmonize the two concepts; and (3) to propose some recommendations and suggestions for the future development and regulation of SRU, taking into account the legal, technical, economic, and ethical aspects of the issue. The article contributes to the ongoing conversation about SRU’s legal and policy landscape, providing stakeholders with informed viewpoints and practical considerations.

Keywords: Space resource utilization, non-appropriation principle, outer space law, OST, space governance

References

  1. A universal framework for Space Resource Utilisation (SRU), Open Research Online, 2023, accessed on 5 February 2024
  2. Christopher D. Johnson, Toward the utilisation of resources in space: knowledge gaps, open questions, and policy implications, Microgravity, 2023, 1-8
  3. Christopher D. Johnson, Toward the utilisation of resources in space: knowledge gaps, open questions, and policy implications, Nature Partner Journals, 2023,  accessed on 5 February 2024
  4. Insight – Encouraging the Recovery and Use of Space Resources, Secure World Foundation, 2020, accessed on 5 February 2024
  5. Gerald B. Sanders et al., Space Resource Utilization: Technologies And Potential Synergism With Terrestrial Markets, NASA, 2015,  accessed on 5 February 2024
  6. Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, opened for signature 27 January 1967, 610 UNTS 205 (entered into force 10 October 1967) art II
  7. J. G. Tronchetti, ‘The Non-Appropriation Principle under Attack: Using Article II of the Outer Space Treaty in Its Defense’ (2007) 50 Proceedings of the Colloquium on the Law of Outer Space 526
  8. Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, opened for signature 18 December 1979, 1363 UNTS 3 (entered into force 11 July 1984) art 11
  9. S. Hobe, ‘The International Legal Status of the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies in View of the Development of Private Enterprise’ (2016) 5 New Space 1
  10. H. Kelsen, Pure Theory of Law (M. Knight trans, University of California Press, 1967) 196-197.
  11. Ram S. Jakhu, Tommaso Sgobba & Paul Dempsey, eds., The Need for an Integrated Regulatory Regime for Aviation and Space: ICAO for Space? (2011)
  12. Tanja Masson-Zwaan & Steven Freeland, eds., Outlook on Space Law over the Next 30 Years: Essays Published for the 30th Anniversary of the Outer Space Treaty (1997)
  13. Armel Kerrest & Tanja Masson-Zwaan, eds., The Diversity of the Liability Regime for Space Activities (2018)
  14. Fabio Tronchetti, The Exploitation of Natural Resources of the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies: A Proposal for a Legal Regime (2009)
  15. Paul Stephen Dempsey, ed., Public Policy and Law in Outer Space (2020)
  16. Frans G. von der Dunk, Handbook of Space Law (2015); Stephan Hobe, Bernhard Schmidt-Tedd & Kai-Uwe Schrogl, eds., Cologne Commentary on Space Law, Volume I: Outer Space Treaty (2009); Bin Cheng, Studies in International Space Law (1997)
  17. Ram S. Jakhu, Joseph N. Pelton & Yaw Otu Mankata Nyampong, eds., Space Security and Legal Aspects of Space Activities (2018)
  18. Tanja Masson-Zwaan & Mahulena Hofmann, eds., Innovations in International and Comparative Space Law (2019); Steven Freeland & Ram S. Jakhu, eds., The Regulation of Commercial Space Transport: The Astrocizing of ICAO (2020); Gbenga Oduntan, Sovereignty and Jurisdiction in Airspace and Outer Space: Legal Criteria for Spatial Delimitation (2012)