{"title":"Explore to Exploit: A Data-Centred Approach to Space Mining Regulation","authors":"Olaf Steffen","doi":"10.1016/j.spacepol.2021.101459","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In light of recent technological advancements in the launch industry and the accelerating development of a private space economy, the regulation of space mining is becoming an increasingly pressing matter. A regulatory regime for space mining must not only provide legal clarity on how to acquire mining rights for certain celestial bodies but must also do this in a way that does not hinder investment in companies in this sector. To encourage a progressive development and prevent the formation of market monopolies, the regime's mechanism for acquiring mining rights must be designed to promote continued investment in new space mining companies, even after first movers have proven the concept. With a strong emphasis on the proliferation of space mining and the establishment of a spacefaring civilisation, this article proposes a regulatory regime and mechanism to acquire rights for the mining of celestial bodies while preserving the information and knowledge contained within these bodies as heritage for future generations of mankind and for science to capitalise on an emerging economy's momentum.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":45924,"journal":{"name":"Space Policy","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.0000,"publicationDate":"2022-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0265964621000515/pdfft?md5=04ea527b337cbf890a35463d7ad8b4ae&pid=1-s2.0-S0265964621000515-main.pdf","citationCount":"7","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Space Policy","FirstCategoryId":"90","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0265964621000515","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 7
Abstract
In light of recent technological advancements in the launch industry and the accelerating development of a private space economy, the regulation of space mining is becoming an increasingly pressing matter. A regulatory regime for space mining must not only provide legal clarity on how to acquire mining rights for certain celestial bodies but must also do this in a way that does not hinder investment in companies in this sector. To encourage a progressive development and prevent the formation of market monopolies, the regime's mechanism for acquiring mining rights must be designed to promote continued investment in new space mining companies, even after first movers have proven the concept. With a strong emphasis on the proliferation of space mining and the establishment of a spacefaring civilisation, this article proposes a regulatory regime and mechanism to acquire rights for the mining of celestial bodies while preserving the information and knowledge contained within these bodies as heritage for future generations of mankind and for science to capitalise on an emerging economy's momentum.
期刊介绍:
Space Policy is an international, interdisciplinary journal which draws on the fields of international relations, economics, history, aerospace studies, security studies, development studies, political science and ethics to provide discussion and analysis of space activities in their political, economic, industrial, legal, cultural and social contexts. Alongside full-length papers, which are subject to a double-blind peer review system, the journal publishes opinion pieces, case studies and short reports and, in so doing, it aims to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and opinions and a means by which authors can alert policy makers and international organizations to their views. Space Policy is also a journal of record, reproducing, in whole or part, official documents such as treaties, space agency plans or government reports relevant to the space community. Views expressed in the journal are not necessarily those of the editors or members of the editorial board.