International Perspectives on Space Resource Rights
Bob Richards
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The space resources topic received a big boost internationally following the U.S. enactment of the “Space Resource Exploration and Utilization Act of 2015”, which President Obama signed into law on November 25th.
International Institute of Space Law president, Tanja Masson-Zwaan, agreed with me that it's important to add some international perspectives to the discussion and has joined me in an Op-ed published by Space News [spacenews] on Dec. 8th: International Perspectives on Space Resource Rights
The discussion is important. The U.S. is taking a lead internationally to roadmap a thoughtful and considered path to support its private sector space entrepreneurs while respecting it's international obligations under the Outer Space Treaty. With respect to private sector pursuits of space resources beyond Earth orbit, I would go so far as to say that the U.S. is currently the only nation taking proactive measures to be compliant with the Outer Space Treaty.
Tanja and I hope this Op-ed serves as a keel for the blustery topic of private sector space resources rights from the perspective of general international consensus .... which in reality, despite some of the more extreme rhetoric coming largely from isolated legal academicians, is generally supportive and respectful of the U.S. lead on the topic.