Re:Space law is inadequate for the boom in human activity there
by simonh on Thursday July 18, 2019 @01:10PM
(#20471867)
From a practical point of view, it's likely that much space law will be decided by the countries that send stuff into space. That seems reasonable since they have a clear vested interest in protecting their citizens, the possessions of their citizens and regulating the activities of their citizens.
That's not really imperialism, just a matter of responsibility. Clearly the US and any other space going nation should be held responsible for the activities of it's citizens and enterprises in space as elsewhere, and has responsibilities towards them as well.
Where that line of reasoning reaches the end of it's tether is when we come to consider property rights over pre-existing assets and territory in space.
That's not really imperialism, just a matter of responsibility. Clearly the US and any other space going nation should be held responsible for the activities of it's citizens and enterprises in space as elsewhere, and has responsibilities towards them as well.
Where that line of reasoning reaches the end of it's tether is when we come to consider property rights over pre-existing assets and territory in space.