Power, Politics and Private Property Rights in Outer Space
- Paper number
IAC-07-E6.5.16
- Author
Prof. Edythe Weeks, United States
- Year
2007
- Abstract
An important series of political actions were recently taken regarding the hotly contested, yet unresolved issue of property rights regarding outer space. Although subtle, they serve to weigh in favor of legalizing the grant of private property rights to entrepreneurs to develop outer space as a territory. For several years now, members of the IISL, IAF, attorneys, academics and others have participated in a fierce debate over whether international space law allows for granting private property rights in outer space. A recent dissertation research project, relying on insights from Gramsci and critical international relations theory, has revealed that recent U.S. legislation, policy, and the new popularization of space have been put into place to encourage further direct investment in outer space territory by promising property rights. The problem is that this hot issue has not been definitively dealt with by the international community. Ignoring the need to arrive at an international consensus on this issue will inevitably create international conflict. Dialog must occur between the various factions within the International Astronautical Federation (space lawyers, the established space industry, new space entrepreneurs, the international community, and the general public. Otherwise, the customary practice of allowing industry practice to influence space law may have the effect of legalizing private property claims due to rapid private space tourism and connected industries.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-07-E6.5.16.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.