|
It begins: the 'ASTEROIDS Act'
To promote the development of a commercial asteroid re-
sources industry for outer space in the United States
and to increase the exploration and utilization of asteroid
resources in outer space.
IN GENERAL.-- Subtitle V of title 51, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new chapter:
CHAPTER 513 -- ASTEROID RESOURCE EXPLORATION AND UTILIZATION
..shall --
(1) facilitate the commercial exploration and utilization of asteroid resources to meet national needs;
(2) discourage government barriers to the development of economically viable, safe, and stable industries for the exploration and utilization of asteroid resources in outer space in manners consistent with the existing international obligations of the United States;
(3) promote the right of United States commercial entities to explore and utilize resources from asteroids in outer space, in accordance with the existing international obligations of the United States, free from harmful interference, and to transfer or sell such resources;
and
(4) develop the frameworks necessary to meet the international obligations of the United States.
Legal framework
(a) PROPERTY RIGHTS. Any resources obtained in outer space from an asteroid are the property of the entity that obtained such resources, which shall be entitled to all property rights thereto, consistent with applicable provisions of Federal law.
(b) FREEDOM FROM HARMFUL INTERFERENCE.
As between any entities over which the United States can exercise jurisdiction, any assertion of superior right to execute specific commercial asteroid resource utilization activities in outer space shall prevail if it is found to be first in time, derived upon a reasonable basis, and in accordance with all existing international obligations of the United States.
(c) SAFETY OF OPERATIONS. A United States commercial asteroid resource utilization entity shall avoid harmful interference to other spacecraft.
(d) RELIEF FROM HARMFUL INTERFERENCE. A United States commercial asteroid resource utilization entity may bring an action for appropriate legal or equitable relief, or both, under this chapter for any action, by another private entity, compromising the right to conduct its operations free of harmful interference.
(e) EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION. The district courts of the United States shall have exclusive jurisdiction of an action under this chapter without regard to the amount in controversy.
Posted by: 3dc 2014-09-13 |
