Legality of Unilateral Exploitation of Space Resources under International Law

Abstract: In recent years, there has been a surge of private investment in space resources and the enactment of domestic legislation aimed at protecting property rights over the resources to be extracted. This article argues that the unilateral exploitation of space resources is not prohibited by the principle of non-appropriation and is consistent with the freedom of use for common benefit and interests, with the caveat that it does not exclude others from exploitation or exacerbate inequality among States. It also argues that a laissez-faire approach would be detrimental to the orderly, sustainable and safe exploitation and use of space resources and calls for the establishment of an international regulatory regime consisting of rules concerning international coordination, benefits sharing and environmental protection.

国际法下空间资源单方面开发的合法性问题

摘要：近年来，随着外空资源开发领域的私人投资激增，一些国家开始通过国内立法寻求保护其国民对未来所开采的外空资源的所有权。本文认为，在不得排除他人同等权利、不加剧国家间之不平等的情况下，对外空资源进行单方面开发不被“不得据为己有”原则禁止，且符合“为共同利益而自由利用外空”原则。本文还认为，放任自由主义做法不利于外空资源的有序、可持续和安全开发利用，国际社会应建立一个外空资源开发利用国际管理制度，这一制度应至少涵盖相关国际合作、惠益分享和环境保护规则。

本文发表于International & Comparatively Law Quarterly

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0020589317000367

链接：https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/international-and-comparative-law-quarterly/article/legality-of-unilateral-exploitation-of-space-resources-under-international-law/EE17641F7B7C6404A79B77AEB627D5F4