A Proposed Legal Framework On The Extraction And Consumption Of Outer Space Resources

<p>The future of space exploration endeavors depends highly on the utilization of in-situ resources. Large scale exploration road maps take advantage of local resources to reduce mission costs and enable the growth of revolutionary self-sufficient technologies to prolong mission duration and reach beyond current destinations. The major space treaties included limited provisions on space resource utilization in terms of excavation and consumption. A natural resource can be extracted from its place of origin with limited restriction on the quantity and method of use. </p> <p>To address the risk of ecological damage, resource appropriation, and impending disputes, claims, and decrees regarding resource utilization, a comprehensive analysis is performed on the legal doctrines governing activities in outer space, the environmental protocol of Antarctica, the principles of the high seas, and a case study on resource appropriation. An analysis of the aforementioned doctrines concludes: 1) the need to provide an international authority with the power to act when claims and disputes of international cooperation and consultations fail and 2) the need to establish a protocol on environmental protection to the Outer Space Treaty to ensure peaceful and orderly development of our celestial bodies during scientific and commercial activities involving resource utilization.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Space Studies

Year

2012

Author dc:creator

• Gordon, Melissa M.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Santhosh Seelan

• environmental protocol, exploitation, mineral extraction, outer space treaty, space law, space resources

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.und.edu/theses/1240

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.und.edu:theses-2241