A hidden provision in US law has allowed companies to claim ownership of asteroids and even parts of the moon, sparking controversy over corporate control of our celestial neighbor.
The loophole, buried in the 1970s asteroid mining bill, permits companies to stake claims on extraterrestrial materials as long as they are mined and processed within a specified time frame. This provision has been used by companies such as Planetary Resources and Deep Space Industries, which aim to extract valuable resources like water and precious metals from asteroids.
The implications of this loophole are far-reaching. If left unchecked, it could enable corporations to control access to asteroid mining, potentially limiting the ability of governments and other organizations to explore and utilize these resources. The move has sparked concerns over the concentration of power and wealth in the hands of a few corporate interests.
Critics argue that such a system would undermine the principles of international cooperation and shared exploration, and could lead to a situation where only the wealthy can access the vast resources available in space. "This is not about 'owning' asteroids," said a spokesperson for the Space Foundation, "but about ensuring that the benefits of space exploration are shared by all."
The loophole, buried in the 1970s asteroid mining bill, permits companies to stake claims on extraterrestrial materials as long as they are mined and processed within a specified time frame. This provision has been used by companies such as Planetary Resources and Deep Space Industries, which aim to extract valuable resources like water and precious metals from asteroids.
The implications of this loophole are far-reaching. If left unchecked, it could enable corporations to control access to asteroid mining, potentially limiting the ability of governments and other organizations to explore and utilize these resources. The move has sparked concerns over the concentration of power and wealth in the hands of a few corporate interests.
Critics argue that such a system would undermine the principles of international cooperation and shared exploration, and could lead to a situation where only the wealthy can access the vast resources available in space. "This is not about 'owning' asteroids," said a spokesperson for the Space Foundation, "but about ensuring that the benefits of space exploration are shared by all."