Towards a Legal Framework for Sustainable Development on the Moon: the Case of In-Situ Resource Utilization.

Paper number

IAC-06-E6.2.A.02

Author

Mrs. Cynthia Jimenez Monroy, International Space University (ISU), France

Year

2006

Abstract

Many experts agree that ISRU is necessary to support the long term scientific missions on the Moon from the economic and technological perspectives. This brings up a series of important questions: should we determine a limit for ISRU activities? What could be the legal justification for such a limitation? Which authority would be in charge?

ISRU on the Moon is the key to help with two main problems of long term missions: First, the reduction of the mass and cost of transportation with the production of propellant from natural resources on the Moon: Oxygen, Hydrogen. Secondly, ISRU provides the option of self-sufficiency and safety for missions with the production of elements required for life support systems to assure the daily crew needs.

The International Legal Framework for ISRU has two principal instruments: The Outer Space Treaty and the Moon Agreement. The latter document is one of the most controversial of the United Nations Treaties because it deals with the exploitation of natural resources and some countries found its language deficient with vague concepts. – Spacefaring nations have not ratified this Agreement-

The analysis of these two documents referred before cover the following aspects: Freedom of Use and Exploration of Outer Space, Exploration of Outer Space for the benefit of all Mankind, sovereignty over Celestial Bodies, the duty to avoid harmful contamination of Celestial Bodies and sharing information of space activities.

A proposal for SD on the Moon should include an analysis of the consequences of present actions and the effects on future public and environmental health. Such an analysis should be interdisciplinary, and focus on the environmental, economic and social concerns for the preservation of the environment and social well being.

SD considers the economy as a very important field of sustainability. Hence, SD is not against the Lunar economy or the use ISRU. This model invites the decision maker’s to consider not only the economy issues but also the environmental and social aspects to design a suitable model for a long term of ISRU considering the Moon environment –geologically dead, airless, lifeless- and the rights of the future generations, as a subjects of law recognized by Space and Environmental Law.

The proposal for SD of ISRU on the Moon identifies the necessary guidelines for the International Regime on the Moon.

Abstract document

IAC-06-E6.2.A.02.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-E6.2.A.02.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.