Space laws include national and international law governing activities in outer space. International lawyers have been unable to agree on a uniform definition of the term "outer space," although most lawyers agree that outer space generally begins at the lowest altitude above sea level at which objects can orbit the Earth. In this activity, you will learn more about the political factors involved with space exploration. Let's begin by reading part of an article about space privatization below.

The following article is from: 

From: http://www.space4peace.org/articles/road_to_conflict.htm 

When the United Nations concluded the 1979 Moon Treaty the United States refused, and still does, to sign it. One key reason is that the treaty outlaws military bases on the moon and also outlaws any nation, corporation, or individual from making land "claims" on the planetary body. The 1967 U.N. Outer Space Treaty takes similar position in regard to all of the planetary bodies. The U.N., realizing they needed to preempt potential conflict over "ownership" of the planetary bodies, made claim that the heavens were the province of all humankind.

As the privateers move into space, in addition to building space hotels and the like, they also want to claim ownership of the planets because they hope to mine the sky. Gold has been discovered on asteroids, helium-3 on the moon, and magnesium, cobalt, and uranium on Mars. It was recently reported that the Haliburton Corporation is now working with NASA to develop new drilling capabilities to mine Mars.

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So let's just imagine for a moment that this private sector vision for space comes true. True and profitable mining begins on the moon and Mars. Who would keep competitors from sneaking in and creating conflict over the new 21st century gold rush? Who will be the space police?

From: http://www.space4peace.org/articles/road_to_conflict.htm 

This article quickly sums up a major problem with space exploration. Anytime there is a profit to be made, someone is going to try to make that profit for themselves. What can we do about it? The companies that wish to do this are not small. It takes billions and billions of dollars to carry out any of these plans. These companies are very powerful. Once they are out in space, who is going to oversee what they are doing?

Politically, the situation on our planet isn't that great. We do have the United Nations, but it has no real power to do anything. It is more like an advisory board. If countries choose to do what the United Nations suggest, then something may happen. But each country still has to decide what is best for itself. We still have countries that hate each other.

Until this stops and the nations of the world unite in some real way, nothing can be done about "policing" space. It will take the united efforts of the entire world to do this because of the cost and the technology required.

Before this can happen, each nation has to get its own affairs in order. It would be political suicide for any government to announce that it is going to spend billions and billions on policing outer space when there are people without houses, food, or even access to proper health care. This isn't even taking into account that roads need to be maintained along with all of the buildings. This isn't just a problem in Canada, it is world wide.

1967 U.N. Outer Space Treaty

The 1967 U.N. Outer Space Treaty provides the basic framework on international space law, including the following principles:

The exploration and use of outer space shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries and shall be the province of all mankind.

Outer space shall be free for exploration and use by all states.

Outer space is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means.

States shall not place nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in orbit or on celestial bodies or station them in outer space in any other manner.

The moon and other celestial bodies shall be used exclusively for peaceful purposes .

Astronauts shall be regarded as the envoys of mankind.

States shall be responsible for national space activities whether carried out by governmental or non-governmental entities.

States shall be liable for damage caused by their space objects.

States shall avoid harmful contamination of space and celestial bodies.