Legal Regulation of Commercial Exploitation of Outer Space Resources and China’s Countermeasures
- 1 Zhixing Academy, Beihang University, Beijing, China
- 2 Zhixing Academy, Beihang University, Beijing, China
Abstract
With the increasing commercial exploitation of outer space resources, countries have strengthened legal regulations in this field. As one of the major countries in space exploration and commercialization, the United States has accumulated rich experience in legal regulations for the commercial exploitation of outer space resources. This paper conducts an in-depth study on the legal regulations for the commercial exploitation of outer space resources recently issued by international organizations and the United States, including their legislative backgrounds, main legal frameworks, and implementation effects. It also analyzes the current situation of China’s legal regulations on the commercial exploitation of outer space resources. The paper proposes ways to optimize and improve China’s legal regulations. Through comparative research, this paper aims to provide useful insights for the legal regulation of the commercial exploitation of outer space resources in China, promoting the rapid, efficient, sustainable, and orderly development of China’s commercial exploitation of outer space resources.
- “Presentation 2,” in WSF/2020 Presentations on Exploration (2020). https://www.unoosa.org/documents/pdf/WSF/2020/Presentations/Exploration/Presentation_2.pdf
- Artemis Accords (2020). Principles for Cooperation in the Civil Exploration and Use of the Moon , Mars, Comets, and Asteroids for Peaceful Purposes .
- Article 1 of the Outer Space Treaty (1967). https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/outerspacetreaty.html
- Bradford Space (n.d.). About Us—Bradford Space. https://www.bradford-space.com/about/
- China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) (2022). Blue Book of China’s S pace Activities .
- Duan, X. (2024). On the Legal Attributes of Outer Space Resource Rights. Journal of Beijing Univers ity of Aeronautics and Astronautics (Social Science Editi on) , 1 , 8.
- FACT SHEET: U.S. Novel Space Activities Authorization and Supervision Framework (2023). https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/12/20/fact-sheet-u-s-novel-space-activities-authorization-and-supervision-framework/
- Fang, S. K. (2022). On the Type Positioning of Shared Heritage. Quest, 2, 11-14.
- Feng, Y. (2022). Current Status and Improvement of International Regulations on the Commercial Exploitation of Outer Space Resources. Mudanjiang Education College Journal, No. 9 , 2.
- Gorove, S. (1969). Interpreting Article II of the Outer Space. Fordham Law Review, 37, 349-354.
- Gruner, B. C. (2004). A New Hope for International Space Law: Incorporating Nineteenth Century First Possession Principles into the 1967 Space Treaty for the Colonization of Outer Space in the Twenty-First Century. Seton Hall Law Review, 35, 299-357.
- Hobe, S. (1992). Die rechtlichen Rahmenbedingungen der wirtschaftlichen Nutzung des Weltraums . Duncker & Humblot. https://doi.org/10.3790/978-3-428-47580-3
- Jia, H. L. (2010). Defects and Prospects of the Outer Space Natural Resource Development System. Journal of Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (Social Science Edition), No . 6 , 30-33.
- Joyner, C. C. (1986). Legal Implications of the Concept of the Common Heritage of Mankind. The International and Comparative Law Quarterly , 35, 190-199. https://doi.org/10.1093/iclqaj/35.1.190
- Li, S. P. (2013). Commercial Utilization of Outer Space and China’s Countermeasures. Journal of Beijing Institute of Technology (Social Science Edition), No. 15, 100.