The IAF SEIC Working Group on Space Resources Utilization and Sustainability
- Paper ID
80416
- author
- company
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
- country
United States
- year
2023
- abstract
The "New Space" approach is driving commercial/private activities monopolizing the race for exploiting space resources, including asteroid mining; therefore, there is a need for more up-to-date international regulations to ensure that all of society has access to the benefits generated by space technology and new space commercial activities. The Outer Space Treaty, signed by more than one hundred countries in 1969, is still in force. But which company/country will be the first to explore/mine an asteroid? Which company/country will be the first to reach Mars? The first to arrive will have access to exorbitant gains, which will not be shared or socialized with other countries or companies. After all, if the investments are private, why should the profits be socialized? There are various types of asteroids, and some asteroids could be utilized for space resources. Can asteroid missions and their multiple applications facilitate sustainability and space exploration? The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) Space Entrepreneurship and Investment Committee (SEIC) Chair Nancy C. Wolfson Proposed the creation of a dedicated team, "IAF SEIC Working Group on Space Resources Utilization and Sustainability (WG-SRUS)," to answer some of these questions above. All 45 IAF SEIC members approved the proposal in 2022. This paper will explore the approach, various objectives, and implementation plan of the IAF SEIC WG-SRUS. Some of the IAF SEIC Working Group on Space Resources Utilization and Sustainability 2022- 2025 objectives include: Closing the gap between current efforts and creating new platforms to bring in the "New Space" actors and approaches. To enable international partnerships between Europe, The United States, and others (e.g., The International Astronautical Federation -The Space Entrepreneurship and Investment Committee, the Luxemburg Space Agency, Space Resources Roundtable by the Colorado School of Mines, the European Space Agency, among others, including South America space agencies such as The Brazilian Space Agency just to mention some) This paper will also present the initial analysis results of literature and surveys regarding the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for the space area. The IAF SEIC SRUS aims to facilitate an initial mapping of steps toward creating an institution that models the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for the space area targeting space resources, asteroid mining and other related topics.