Property and Mineral Rights to spurl space dev.

[EarthlingX]

Right now, it's very straightforward. The USA is a signatory to "TREATY ON PRINCIPLES GOVERNING THE ACTIVITIES OF STATES IN THE EXPLORATION AND USE OF OUTER SPACE, INCLUDING THE MOON AND OTHER CELESTIAL BODIES (1967)".

In it, can be found

Article I

The exploration and use of outer space, including the moon and other
celestial bodies, shall be carried out for the benefit and in the
interests of all countries, irrespective of their degree of economic or
scientific development, and shall be the province of all mankind.

Outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, shall be free
for exploration and use by all States without discrimination of any kind,
on a basis of equality and in accordance with international law, and
there shall be free access to all areas of celestial bodies.

There shall be freedom of scientific investigation in outer space,
including the moon and other celestial bodies, and States shall
facilitate and encourage international co-operation in such
investigation.

Article II

Outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, is not
subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of
use or occupation, or by any other means.

So unless the USA wishes to be branded as dishonest and not worth of any trust, breaking this treaty would open up a can of worms. For instance, if the USA decided to break this treaty and allow commercial claims, then, let's pick the Chinese for example, sit back and watch the exploration. Once a profitable method and location is worked out, the Chinese just move in, or at least next door. Dow Chenical spends a trillion dollars exploring for specific materials, and the Chinese spend just a billion to send out a detachment of military and some workers to assemble the production facilities. If the USA decides to use force, then the Chinese nuke Los Angeles, or something similar.

So maybe it's in everyone's best interests to respect the treaty.

I think so.

It's just that

Outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, is not
subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of
use or occupation, or by any other means.

is not necessarily a problem, but a proposed solution.

It seams to me, that this document kinda establishes appropriation by us Earthlings, we just don't have a proper mechanism in place, because there was no need for such a mechanism, and we had no real capability.
Let's say there was an international, recognized entity, what every you call it, which could give legal rights to commercial or national entities.
No more problem, or better, what else am i missing, apart from the usual political antics ?

 

[Polishguy]

Right now, it's very straightforward. The USA is a signatory to "TREATY ON PRINCIPLES GOVERNING THE ACTIVITIES OF STATES IN THE EXPLORATION AND USE OF OUTER SPACE, INCLUDING THE MOON AND OTHER CELESTIAL BODIES (1967)".

In it, can be found

Article I

The exploration and use of outer space, including the moon and other
celestial bodies, shall be carried out for the benefit and in the
interests of all countries, irrespective of their degree of economic or
scientific development, and shall be the province of all mankind.

Outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, shall be free
for exploration and use by all States without discrimination of any kind,
on a basis of equality and in accordance with international law, and
there shall be free access to all areas of celestial bodies.

There shall be freedom of scientific investigation in outer space,
including the moon and other celestial bodies, and States shall
facilitate and encourage international co-operation in such
investigation.

Article II

Outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, is not
subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of
use or occupation, or by any other means.

So unless the USA wishes to be branded as dishonest and not worth of any trust, breaking this treaty would open up a can of worms. For instance, if the USA decided to break this treaty and allow commercial claims, then, let's pick the Chinese for example, sit back and watch the exploration. Once a profitable method and location is worked out, the Chinese just move in, or at least next door. Dow Chenical spends a trillion dollars exploring for specific materials, and the Chinese spend just a billion to send out a detachment of military and some workers to assemble the production facilities. If the USA decides to use force, then the Chinese nuke Los Angeles, or something similar.

So maybe it's in everyone's best interests to respect the treaty.

In case you haven't noticed, the USA is already branded as dishonest and not worthy of trust by the UN and much of the world.

And I'm sure we can come up with a diplomatic solution to any conflict over space resources. Back in the 19th century, our claims conflicted with those of the British, Russians, and Spaniards in Oregon, but we didn't kill each other then. We simply adjusted claims for everyone's benefit.

 

[DarkenedOne]

Right now, it's very straightforward. The USA is a signatory to "TREATY ON PRINCIPLES GOVERNING THE ACTIVITIES OF STATES IN THE EXPLORATION AND USE OF OUTER SPACE, INCLUDING THE MOON AND OTHER CELESTIAL BODIES (1967)".

In it, can be found

Article I

The exploration and use of outer space, including the moon and other
celestial bodies, shall be carried out for the benefit and in the
interests of all countries, irrespective of their degree of economic or
scientific development, and shall be the province of all mankind.

Outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, shall be free
for exploration and use by all States without discrimination of any kind,
on a basis of equality and in accordance with international law, and
there shall be free access to all areas of celestial bodies.

There shall be freedom of scientific investigation in outer space,
including the moon and other celestial bodies, and States shall
facilitate and encourage international co-operation in such
investigation.

Article II

Outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, is not
subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of
use or occupation, or by any other means.

So unless the USA wishes to be branded as dishonest and not worth of any trust, breaking this treaty would open up a can of worms. For instance, if the USA decided to break this treaty and allow commercial claims, then, let's pick the Chinese for example, sit back and watch the exploration. Once a profitable method and location is worked out, the Chinese just move in, or at least next door. Dow Chenical spends a trillion dollars exploring for specific materials, and the Chinese spend just a billion to send out a detachment of military and some workers to assemble the production facilities. If the USA decides to use force, then the Chinese nuke Los Angeles, or something similar.

So maybe it's in everyone's best interests to respect the treaty.

Lets analyize this part by part shall we.

First of all, as I understand it the US can withdraw from the treaty at any time, and most likely it will most likely do so once the technology to further utilize space has been developed.

Second of all, if the technology to mine materials and build colonizes is developed it is highly unlikely that we are going to share that technology with the Chinese. If these technologies are developed then it will probably be privately done because no space agency has expressed any interest in such efforts, however even if they are it will not be publically available. No one spends a trillion dollars on a technology or set of technologies then just give it away to their competitor.

Thirdly no one is going to go to nuclear war off of some small space colony of little economic or military significance.

It is most likely going to work just like oil and mineral exploration works in the ocean.


Second