Philip De Man Livres

This book seeks a workable interpretation of the non-appropriation principle that aligns with existing international space law and the private space industry's push toward asteroid mining. It analyzes the rules governing the use of orbits as limited natural resources, illustrating how space resources can be exploited by one user while respecting the non-appropriation principle and the interests of others. The author conducts a thorough review of property rights within the current international space law framework, distinguishing between lawful exploitation and unlawful appropriation. This distinction could facilitate a viable asteroid mining regime that considers the needs of individual companies alongside the international community. The concept of exclusive use in an inclusive environment exemplifies the tension between the rights of individual spacefaring actors and the broader international interests. While the book adopts an academic approach to a fundamental issue in space law, it also has practical ambitions. By providing a pragmatic interpretation of space law principles likely to underpin asteroid mining in the foreseeable future, it aims to guide academics, practitioners, and policymakers in developing a fair and effective management regime for the exploitation of natural resources in outer space.