Capital Berg

Keeps People Up-To-Date

Monday, March 1, 2021
Log in
  • United States
  • Business
  • Health
  • Science
  • Technology
  • About CapitalBerg
    • Analysts & Contributors
    • Advertising
    • Contact US
    • Privacy Policy GDPR
    • Terms of Use

Pages

  • About CapitalBerg
  • Advertising
  • Analysts & Contributors
  • Contact US
  • Investor Relations
  • Privacy Policy GDPR
  • SEC Disclosure
  • Terms of Use

Recent Posts

  • Tennessee Rapist Breaks into Woman’s House Three Times the Same Night to Assault Her June 29, 2018
  • Mentally Ill Man Arrested After Breaking into Retirement Home to Grope a Woman’s Chest June 28, 2018
  • “Syndrome” Author Blake Leibel Sentenced to Life in Prison for the Murder and Torture of Girlfriend June 27, 2018
  • Michigan Dad to Be Sentenced in the Beating Death of 3-Year-Old Infant June 26, 2018
  • Ohio Patrolman Booted from Police After Pulling Over His Daughter and Boyfriend June 26, 2018
  • Utah Mayor Shares Heartwarming Letter of Man Apologizing for Stealing a Stop Sign 75 Years Ago June 25, 2018
  • Mississippi Man Beheaded Mother After A Spat over Credit Cards June 25, 2018

Space Mining Could Be Dangerous And Is Probably Illegal

November 30, 2015 By Denise Ehrlich

"space mining dangerous and illegal"

New debates have sparked, regarding the fact that space mining could be dangerous and is probably illegal even though the United States congress passed a law that approves it. It’s perhaps an issue that some believe might be nothing but philosophical. However, the U.S. has been preparing to look for resources outside our planet for decades. This means it might be put in practice.

Conflict with the ‘Outer Space Treaty’ of 1967

The decision of the congress to approve it has been met with controversy, due to an already existing international act that prohibited it. The ‘Outer Space Treaty’ became effective in October, 1967, which stated that all explorations made and resources found outside Earth should benefit mankind as a whole. It should benefit all countries, not just one.

This means that no nation, organization, or company may mine space bodies for materials and then sell them. Furthermore, the treaty also states that all “should avoid harmful contamination of space and celestial bodies”. The U.S. was among the many nations who signed the treaty around three decades ago, but has recently made a decision that could be in direct violation of what they agreed to before.

‘Space Act of 2015’ allows mining regardless

The ‘Space Act of 2015’ has been passed on November 18th, 2015, which allows space companies to mine, own, and sell any natural resources found on astral bodies, such as asteroids. They will not be allowed to own the actual celestial body itself though, just the resources.

As pointed out by Gbenga Oduntan, at the International Commercial Law, this means that private companies have been given free rein in outer space for 8 years without international regulation. Given that space does not belong to anyone, Oduntan states that it requires these highly important regulations. Even more, he claimed that the now approved mining programs could potentially pollute or contaminate celestial bodies, or even our very own planet.

According to Oduntan, this offers several companies, such as Planetary Resources or Deep Space Industries, liberty to conduct their business on asteroids without regulation and in direct conflict with the ‘Outer Space Treaty’ from 1967. The two companies, however, are understandably glad that the U.S. law allows them to reach their goals. One 150 feet wide asteroid can have $150 billion worth of materials.

According to Planetary resources co-founder, Eric Anderson, the new legislation will show the same support that led to great economies in the past. It will also encourage further development of exploring outer space and its resources. The problem with most, however, seems to be that it’s condoned strictly under U.S. law and supervision, and yet it affects all nations.

That is why, several attorneys have drawn attention to the treaty the U.S. signed, which stated that no celestial bodies, including the moon, may be owned, claimed, used, or occupied by one nation. It strictly refers to outer space resources as being used “for the benefit of mankind and in the interest of all countries”.

Other attorneys disagree, by stating that asteroids don’t qualify as “celestial bodies”, and that mining the resources does not mean they’re staking claim or ownership.

Resources used for private profit or the good of mankind?

Oduntan, however, claimed that quibbling over definitions is a distraction from the main point of the matter. American law now allows systematic exploitation of outer space resources, in spite of the “huge environmental risks”. The new legislation is reportedly in direct violation of the international agreement, but the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology has denied there is any conflict between the two acts.

Regardless, the passed law now allows the U.S. to conduct operations of space mining. And there are very few ways international communities could oversee, regulate, or police these activities.

Image source: minestories.com

  • About the Author

About Denise Ehrlich

Denise would describe herself as one more of an experience witness than a journalist. Soon after graduating, Denise worked as a journalist during the presidential campaign of Senior US Senator John McCain. Since then, much has changed, and Denise found herself gravitating towards world news.

Filed Under: Science

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 44 other subscribers

Recent Articles

sleep

Tennessee Rapist Breaks into Woman’s House Three Times the Same Night to Assault Her

June 29, 2018 By Denise Ehrlich Leave a Comment

police lights

Mentally Ill Man Arrested After Breaking into Retirement Home to Grope a Woman’s Chest

June 28, 2018 By Waleed Javed Leave a Comment

gavel

“Syndrome” Author Blake Leibel Sentenced to Life in Prison for the Murder and Torture of Girlfriend

June 27, 2018 By Andreas Petersen Leave a Comment

Woods

Michigan Dad to Be Sentenced in the Beating Death of 3-Year-Old Infant

June 26, 2018 By Marlene R. Litten Leave a Comment

patrol cruiser

Ohio Patrolman Booted from Police After Pulling Over His Daughter and Boyfriend

June 26, 2018 By Waleed Javed Leave a Comment

stop sign

Utah Mayor Shares Heartwarming Letter of Man Apologizing for Stealing a Stop Sign 75 Years Ago

June 25, 2018 By June Harris Leave a Comment

Butter knives

Mississippi Man Beheaded Mother After A Spat over Credit Cards

June 25, 2018 By Carol Harper Leave a Comment

XXXTentacion mugshot

Florida Authorities Arrested Suspect in Connection with Shooting of XXXTentacion

June 22, 2018 By Waleed Javed Leave a Comment

sunset over beach

Dallas Mother Accused of Beating Four-Year-Old and Dumping Body Into the Water

June 21, 2018 By Denise Ehrlich Leave a Comment

chicken Alfredo

Ohio Man Sentenced for Trying to Seduce Teenage Boy with Naked Pictures and Chicken Alfredo

June 20, 2018 By Marlene R. Litten Leave a Comment

bedroom

South Carolina Teen and Mates End Up In Slammer for Raping a Teenage Girl

June 19, 2018 By Waleed Javed Leave a Comment

cyberstalkin

California Man Arrested for Stalking Ex-Girlfriend, Hacking Her Online Accounts

June 19, 2018 By June Harris Leave a Comment

hammer

Naked Patient Sneaks out of Emergency Room to Bash Homeowner’s Head with Hammer

June 18, 2018 By Carol Harper Leave a Comment

screwdriver

Middle School Student Attacks Teacher During Class with Screwdriver

June 18, 2018 By Andreas Petersen Leave a Comment

Related Articles

  • Stephen Hawking watching a screen while sitting in his chair

    Stephen Hawking’s Family Sends His Final Message to Space

    Jun 15, 2018
  • super earth exoplanet half in shadow

    Is Gravity the Force Keeping Aliens from Visiting Earth? European Scientists Say So (Study)

    May 8, 2018
  • starbust stars and galaxies in the universe

    Thousands of Early Galaxies Revealed by Map of Old Universe (Study)

    Apr 10, 2018
  • statue of a neanderthal half shadowed

    Scientists Found a Possible Explanation for the Neanderthals’ Big Noses (Study)

    Apr 10, 2018
  • the planet venus

    Could the Clouds of Venus Be Holding Forms of Life?

    Apr 5, 2018
  • NASA and Parker Solar Probe Study

    NASA Ready to Send the Parker Solar Probe on its First Mission

    Mar 7, 2018
  • stars and galaxies in the universe

    Scientists Measure the Expansion Rate of the Universe, Challenge Physics?

    Feb 26, 2018
  • sunspots on the sun in close up

    Is the Sun Going to Get Dimmer and Cooler in the Next Decades? (Study)

    Feb 12, 2018
  • Two mummified brothers

    Egyptian Tale of Two Mummified Brothers Takes Unexpected Turn

    Jan 18, 2018
  • Futuristic robot holding its arms spread

    A New Type of Revolutionary Robotic Muscles Is Strong, Flexible, and Cheap (Study)

    Jan 7, 2018

Categories

  • Business
  • Deals
  • Health
  • Science
  • Technology
  • United States
  • World

Copyright © 2021 capitalberg.com

About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · Contact

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more.