New space property age: at the crossroads of space commons, commodities and competition

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Lucas Rhimbassen ◽  
Lucien Rapp
Keyword(s):  
Property Rights ◽  
Technological Development ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
Benefit Sharing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
International Space ◽  
Polycentric Governance ◽  
Space Law ◽  
New Space ◽  
Space Property

Purpose In the absence of a clear property rights regime in outer space, commodification might bypass several legal considerations and instill a regime through customary practice, which could collide with international space law ethics, and thus, erode the corpus juris spatialis. The purpose of this paper is to find a way to prevent such an erosion. Design/methodology/approach Through an interdisciplinary review of the literature pertaining to space law, space property rights, economic goods, resources and commodities, this paper explores potential solutions to prevent further fragmentation of the corpus juris spatialis when confronted with the elusive transnational lex mercatoria dynamics and potential commodification of the space ecosystem. Findings This paper explores solutions to prevent this outcome through decentralized frameworks ranging from polycentric governance to a new “space antitrust” regime. Polycentric governance could prove very useful to address the plurality of space property rights and their complexity while space antitrust would not be precluded to intervene in a commoditized space market. Commodities benefited in the past from a certain antitrust immunity, however, due to globalization, technological development and deregulation, commodities have become more competitive, and therefore, the immunity is being gradually overturned. Originality/value This paper explores the benefits of unlocking antitrust potential forces into channeling, hand in hand with polycentricity, the development of the space ecosystem in light of international space law ethics. “Space antitrust” could become a discipline per se and better resonate with non-traditional stakeholders in the space sector in a context of commercialization and commodification of resources. Today, benefit-sharing causes debate among spacefaring nations in terms of property rights. However, it could be enforced through competition law dynamics.

A review of property rights in outer space from a land management perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter Timo de Vries ◽  
Urs Hugentobler
Keyword(s):  
Property Rights ◽  
Land Management ◽  
Open Space ◽  
Space Debris ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Space Management ◽  
Management Perspective ◽  
Regulatory Guidelines ◽  
Space Property

Purpose In light of the discussions on outer space property management, this conceptual review paper aims to discuss and evaluate if, when and under which conditions certain land management and property right frameworks can apply to allocate and/or restrict property rights in outer space. Design/methodology/approach This paper applies a pragmatic review approach which seeks to better understand if and how the basic tenets of the land management frameworks could better shape and revise the challenges in outer space regulations. Findings Despite the fact that regulatory guidelines on outer space rights are existing, the analysis shows that these lack a number of practical tools and measures aiming at intervening if stakeholders do not follow the rules. With the use of land management frameworks, it is possible to derive policy options for making the outer space management more practical and action-oriented, in particular for the removal of space debris. These include amongst others more attention for formulating global public restrictions in outer space, incorporating regulatory guidelines for accessing open space regimes, addressing responsiveness and robustness in adherence and compliance to regulations Research limitations/implications Given the conceptual and discursive character of the paper, there are no specific empirical data, yet several recommendations for further research include expanding the boundary work between the land management and regulatory outer space domain. Practical implications The insights derived from land management and real estate related property theories could potentially provide new starting points for (re)formulating the regulatory framework for outer space property discourses. Social implications Interpreting the outer space regulations from known and practiced land management perspective helps to bridge the policy–society knowledge and necessity gap on outer space activities. Originality/value The specific land management perspective and discursive analysis on outer space debris provide new options for devising and extending regulatory guidelines for assigning responsibilities on outer space debris and debris rights, restrictions and responsibilities.

scholarly journals Finders Keepers

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-229
Author(s):  
Jose A. Martin del Campo
Keyword(s):  
Property Rights ◽  
Free Market ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
Regulatory Body ◽  
Space Race ◽  
Space Law ◽  
Celestial Bodies ◽  
New Space ◽  
Suitable Framework ◽  
The Right

Current space law is unclear as to whether private entities may claim possession of resources extracted from their endeavors in outer space. The lack of certainty prevents private entities from entirely investing in infrastructure and capabilities to access new deposits of resources due to the depletion of minerals and resources on Earth. The establishment of a new space regime devoid of non-appropriation principles found in international law is necessary to motivate private entities to invest the capital in extracting and transporting space resources back to Earth. This Comment seeks to understand how the current framework of space law impacts the property rights of private entities and their claim to resources in space. The 1967 Outer Space Treaty prohibited the claiming of property by sovereign nations. However, the concept of private entities now having the capability to extract resources from outer space has reignited the issue of property rights in outer space. With resources becoming scarcer or priced out of the market, the solution of mining these resources from celestial bodies has caused a new space race. Past multilateral agreements have dealt with similar discoveries such as the polymetallic nodules on the ocean floor; however, these agreements led to disputes as to ownership and the rights to extract said resources. With little to no support from the industrialized nations, the structure of any new regime must ensure access for the benefit of humankind. The benefit of allowing these private entities the right to claim mined resources must be weighed against potential drawbacks in order to create a framework that balances the interest of the free market with that of the common heritage principle. In determining that a suitable framework fails to guide a new space regime, this Comment proposes that a new governing body comprising a rotation of space-faring and nonspacefaring nations act as a regulatory body for the interest of all of humankind.

Peaceful Purposes for the Benefit of All Mankind

2020 ◽  
pp. 109-122
Author(s):  
P.J. Blount
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
International Peace ◽  
International Space ◽  
Legal Obligations ◽  
Ethical Content ◽  
Space Law ◽  
Peace And Security ◽  
Outer Space Treaty ◽  
Geopolitical Context

This chapter argues that the Outer Space Treaty contains, in addition to its legal content, ethical content. The chapter then analyzes the text of the treaty to reveal this ethical content and connect it to the twin goals of the peaceful uses of outer space (found in international space law) and the maintenance of international peace and security (found in general international law). The analysis contends that, while the ethical content of the Outer Space Treaty does not create hard legal obligations, it does inform the nature of the legal content of the norms set out by the treaty. Finally, this chapter will also evaluate how the ethics deployed by the treaty have fared in the contemporary geopolitical context.

International Liability for Commercial Space Activities and Related Issues of Debris

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elina Morozova ◽  
Alena Laurenava
Keyword(s):  
Space Debris ◽  
Artificial Satellite ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
International Space ◽  
Space Law ◽  
Air Space ◽  
Space Objects ◽  
Outer Space Treaty ◽  
International Liability ◽  
Space Activities

Space activities are technically sophisticated, challenging, and high risk endeavors. Notwithstanding precautionary measures that are taken by commercial operators, damage may be caused during space objects’ launching, passing through air space, in-orbit maneuvering and operating, and de-orbiting. The rules and procedures aimed at ensuring the prompt payment of a full and equitable compensation for such damage constitute the international liability regime, which is of crucial importance in space law. The first reference to international liability for damage caused by space objects and their component parts on the Earth, in air space, or in outer space, can be traced back to the very beginning of the space era. In 1963, just few years after the first ever artificial satellite was launched, international liability was declared by the UN General Assembly as one of the legal principles governing the activities of states in the exploration and use of outer space. It was later made legally binding by inclusion in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and received further development in the 1972 Liability Convention. The latter is generally referred to as lex specialis when the interrelation between the two international treaties is described and introduces several provisions that treat liability for damage caused in specific circumstances somewhat differently. International space law imputes liability on states that launch or procure launchings of space objects and states from whose territory or facility space objects are launched. This does not, however, exclude liability for damage caused by space objects, which are operated by private entities. Still, international liability for accidents involving commercial operators stays with the so-called “launching states,” as this term is defined by the Liability Convention for the same states that are listed in the Outer Space Treaty as internationally liable. Insurance is well known to settle liability issues, including those arising from commercial launches, however, it is not always mandatory. Frequently, space-related accidents involve non-functional space objects and their component parts, which are usually referred to as space debris. This may include spent rocket stages and defunct satellites, as well as fragments from their disintegration. Since the non-functional state of a space object does not change its legal status, the relevant provisions of international space law that are applicable to space objects continue to apply to what is called “space debris.” This means, in particular, that launching states are internationally liable for damage caused by space debris, including cases where such debris was generated by private spacecraft. The probability of liability becomes even higher when it comes to active space debris removal. Such space activities, which are extensively developed by private companies, are inextricably linked to potential damage. Yet, practical problems arise with identification of space debris and, consequently, an efficient implementation of the liability regime.

scholarly journals Sapnis par kosmosa bagātībām – vai kosmosa resursu ieguve ir likumīga?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lūcija Strauta ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
The United States ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Commercial Exploitation ◽  
International Space ◽  
National Space ◽  
Space Law ◽  
Celestial Bodies

The paper assesses whether the national legal framework of the United States, Luxembourg and the United Arab Emirates, which stipulates that space resources can be privately owned, and legalizes the acquisition of space resources for commercial purposes, complies with international space law. The article analyses the scope of space use delineated by the 1967 Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies and 1979 Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, as well as the subsequent national practices after the entry into force of these agreements, national space law, national policies and public statements. The aim of the analysis is to determine whether international space law contains a prohibition of the extraction and commercial exploitation of space resources. The study evaluates national comprehensions of the space law content with regard to the freedom to use space. It yields a conclusion that there is no absolute ban on the commercial exploitation of space resources under international space law.

scholarly journals National appropriation of natural resources in the international space law

2021 ◽  
pp. 46-59
Author(s):  
Olesya Andreevna Popova
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resources ◽  
Legal Status ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
National Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
Legal Regulation ◽  
Legal Regime ◽  
International Space ◽  
Space Law ◽  
Celestial Bodies

This article examines the problem of international legal regulation of the activity on the use of natural resources in outer space. The author provides the results of analysis of the international outer space treaties, resolutions of the United National General Assembly, reports of the Legal Subcommittee of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. There is currently no universal international legal regulation of the legal status and regime for the use of natural resources in outer space. The activity on the extraction of natural resources requires the development of corresponding international legal norms. The two alternative positions are being discussed – the concept of the “common heritage of mankind” developed in the international law of the sea, and the Artemis Accords advanced by the United States. The following conclusions were made: the prohibition of national appropriation of outer space and celestial bodies is applicable to the countries and private entities. The International space law does not have explicit ban on the use of space for the purpose of extraction and commercial exploitation of natural resources. However, natural resources are a part of outer space and celestial bodies; therefore, in the absence of special norms regulating their legal status and regime of usage, they should fall under the legal regime established for outer space and celestial bodies. The author observes a trend of development of legal regime for the use of natural resources of outer space on the national level with transition to the international level. The acquired results can be applied in interpretation of the provisions of international space law and development of international norms with regards to legal status and regime of usage of natural resources in outer space.

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