The white house refused to consider the moon and the planets, public domain

As reported on a specialized associated with the “star news” resource space.com promulgated the decree of the tramp has evolved over the last year. A document entitled “Provision of international support to the production and use of resources of space” determines the basic direction of us policy in this region, however, is very specifically addresses the issue of cooperation with third countries. In particular, the “cosmic decree” categorically stressed that Washington does not consider being in the vacuum of space resources as “public domain”. “Americans should have the right to conduct commercial exploration, extraction and use of resources in outer space in accordance with the appropriate legislation. Space legally and physically is a unique domain of human activity, and the United States do not think it is in the public domain,” reads a White house statement.

the Americans have now decided to extend its laws to the entire Universe

in the United States does not consider it necessary and the conclusion of any international legally binding agreement in relation to the exploration and extraction of natural resources of the Universe. Obviously, however, such a unilateral approach is not irritated countries, which “to the cosmic fossils far as to the stars,” Washington added a caveat: America still intends to seek international support for their actions. Under the same Ordinance trump state Department and other ministries should negotiate with the partners for the conclusion of bilateral and multilateral agreements on the use, development and resource extraction on the moon and other celestial bodies by private and public companies. How and on what basis can go through such negotiations “senior fellow” with “partners”, easy to guess.

Photo: REUTERS/Joshua Roberts “Rosatom” called the aggressive decree trump about the development of the resources of the moon

At the time of signing in the any reaction from the EU and China – other leading players in the space sector – was not followed. But in advocating for equal development of Russia appreciated the “space claim” of Washington. “In yesterday’s decree trump States that the Moon and other celestial bodies are the common property of mankind (so far it has been the subject of global agreements UN certified) and that the Americans now have exclusive rights to their use in accordance with the “applicable (read – American) law,” – said the Chairman of the international Affairs Committee in the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev, stressing that Moscow is “not exactly nothing”.

Recall that the United States has not signed the international Agreement governing the activities of States on the moon and other celestial bodies, adopted on 5 December 1979 resolution of the UN General Assembly. This document among other things provides for the international regulation of the mining satellite. In particular, article 4 of the Treaty States that “the exploration and use of the moon is the common heritage of mankind and for the benefit and in the interests of all countries, irrespective of their degree of economic or scientific development”.

it Should be noted that the United States does not today have begun to legally make his own and exceptional way to the space natural resources. So, in 2015, the U.S. Congress unilaterally passed a law authorizing the rapidly developing American private space companies to conduct commercial exploration and extraction of resources beyond Earth, especially on the moon and asteroids.

Photo: Vitaly Belousov / RIA Novosti Kosachev praised the decree trump on the resources of the moon

Source “RG” in the Russian space Agency said that to date technologies allowing US to extract minerals on other planets and celestial bodies, do not exist. However, the Americans are already practical plans, including production on the moon helium isotope as a promising fuel for future fusion power plants.

the Moon really stands out in the plans of NASA. Earlier in the administration of Donald trump announced the resumption of an ambitious program called “Artemis”. The goal is to return in 2024 on the moon, its sustainable development by 2028. In the framework of the new lunar program, NASA developed the idea of creating on-orbit satellite Earth station Gateway, which is in the future planned human flights to the moon and back for landing reusable vehicles. For the successful implementation of this idea, notes space.com a key factor is mining on the lunar surface the necessary resources. First ice of which it is planned to produce water – source of life and energy for future lunar bases.

Comment

Inna Havanova, doctor of legal Sciences, Professor, Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation:

Is not the first attempt to break the principles governing the activities of States in the exploration and use of outer space enshrined in the outer space Treaty of 1967. The Agreement establishes: outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodiesand, is not subject to national assignment neither by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means.

Photo: AP Photo/Matt Rourke trump has signed the decree about the right of States to use the resources of the moon

Today we are witnessing, on the one hand, the economic development of space (communications, remote sensing, broadcasting, navigation, tourism, exploration and extraction of space resources (minerals). On the other, the erosion of the monopoly of the States on space exploration. In 2015, the United States was adopted the Law on competitiveness of commercial launches into space, stimulating American private companies mining minerals on the moon and other celestial bodies. Under its terms, a U.S. citizen, a U.S. company engaged in commercial development of the resources of space have the right resources. Russia then gave a tough assessment of the law to the UN Committee on outer space, pointing to the disputed international legal point of view, the unilateral decision to give private companies a carte Blanche for development of space mineral resources. According to the Russian position, “the provocative novelty of the law is that it provides for the vesting of the American private sector the right to develop, assign, and sell the resources of the moon, asteroids and other celestial bodies”.

by the Way, to derive income from space want, even countries that have not participated before in the great space race. So, three years ago, the law governing mining of minerals in outer space, adopted in Luxembourg, realizing the intention of becoming a European center for commercial development of space resources. Under its provisions the extracted resources can be owned by private companies, registered in SuiteEmbury. The application of individual States on the regulatory leadership with the ambition spatial, natural resource, legal-economical expansion in space is not harmless. No one should ever forget: space is still dangerous and a little predictable.

has Prepared Natalia Yachmennikova