Abstract
The creation of space economic development authorities (SEDA) present a near-term, viable strategy for the use of space resources. This is a legal and financial mechanism to encourage private investment in the formation of both a space infrastructure and offworld commercial opportunities, as well as promote scientific research on the high frontier. If the 21st Century is to realize the industrialization and settlement of space, humanity must establish innovative governance, management and funding systems which move beyond sole support from public taxes and operations only by national space agencies. An attitude change is necessary for space to become a place for the practice of synergy, so that planners promote global cooperation in human enterprises aloft, especially through public-private partnerships in space macroprojects.
Specifially, to return to the Moon permanently, utilize its resources, and facilitate both economic activity and settlement there, the prototype SEDA program will be the founding of a Lunar Economic Development Authority (LEDA). the next step would be feasibility studies on applying this model to form a Mars Economic Development Authority (MEDA) and then an Orbital Economic Development Authority (OEDA). Such legal entities would provide a means for international collaboration and support of new space markets, while fostering private sector participation and investment. for LEDA to become a model in this process, legislation and agreements might enable it to:
-
• Issue bonds to underwrite lunar enterprises, such as a transportation system, industrial parks/bases, and projects ranging from beaming solar energy toward Earth to mining helium 3;
-
• Coordinate and facilitate international endeavors on or near the Moon by space agencies, scientific organizations, universities, and private corporations or consortia;
-
• Create a leasing system and site permits for activity on or underneath the lunar surface, so as to build facilities, habitats and other infrastructure;
-
• Provide an overall administration and security for lunar settlements and installations, as well as for commercial operations and tourism;
-
• Protect the lunar environment and ecology, possibly through regulations, zoning or inspection.
The whole SEDA goal is to further private initiatives and entrepreneurs on the space frontier, so as to advance the creation of a spacefaring civilization for the new millennium.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Referemces
Gump, D.P.: Space Enterprise Beyond NASA. Praeger, New York, NY, USA, 1990
Criswell, D.R.: “New growth on the two planet economy.” In Proceedings of the 45th International Astronautical Congress. International Astronautical Federation, Paris, France, 1994
Harris, P.R.: “Human development and synergy in space.” In Living and Working in Space, Second Edition: Human Behavior, Culture, and Organization, pp. 34–60. Wiley/Praxis, Chichester, UK, 1996
“Public-private partnerships.” San Diego Business Journal, Special Supplement on Wastewater Managment, November 1996. See also Center for Research and Education on Strategy and Technology: Partners in Space: International Cooperation in Space Strategies for the New Century. U.S.-CREST, Arlington, VA, USA (Fax: +1 703 243-7175), May 1993
Davis, N.W.: “New Asia-Pacific players launch services market.” Aerospace America, pp. 6–8, February 1997
O’Donnell, D.J.: “Is it time to replace the Moon treaty?” The Air and Space Lawyer, pp. 3–9, Fall 1994 (available from the American Bar Association, 750 North Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60611, USA). O’Donnell, D. J.: “Property law in outer space.” Space Governance, Vol.3:1, pp. 14-15;34, July 1996. Harris, P.R.: “A case for permanent lunar development and investment.” Space Policy, Vol.10:3, pp. 187-188, 1994. “Why not use the Moon as a space station?” Earth Space Review, Vol.4:4, pp. 7-10, 1995
Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and other Celestial Bodies, December 18, 1979, #1363 U.N.T.S., 3/18 I.L.M. 1434 (hereinafter referred to as the Moon Agreement entered into force July 11, 1984). O’Donnell, D.J.: “The model treaty of jurisdiction in outer space,” Appendix D, pp. 360-368. In Harris, P.R.: Living and Working in Space, Second Edition. Wiley/Praxis, Chichester, UK, 1996. Golden, N.C.: American Space Law: International and Domestic, Second Edition. UNIVELT, San Diego, CA, USA, 1996. Benaroya, H.: “Lunar industrialization.” Journal of Practical Applications in Space, Vol VI:I, pp.84-86, 1994. Koelle, H.H.: “Steps toward a lunar settlement. “ Space Governance, Vol.4:1, pp. 20-25, January 1997
Brown, A.S.: “Inflating hopes for a lunar base.” Aerospace America, pp. 21–23, February 1997
Wycoff, R. A. and Smith, D.D.: “Plans and strategies for a California space authority — a USIS case study” Space Governance, Vol.3:1, pp. 24–27, July 1996
O’Neill, G.K.: The High Frontier — Human Colonies In Space. Space Studies Institute, Princeton, NJ, USA, 1989. Heppenheimer, T.A.: Colonies in Space. Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, PA, USA, 1979
O’Donnell, D.J. and Harris, P.R.: “Legal strategies for a lunar economic development authority.” Annals of Air and Space Law, Vol. XXI, pp. 121–130. Centre of Air and Space Law, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, 1996. “Strategies for a lunar economic development authority: Futures scenario for utilization of the Moon’s resources.” Futures Research Quarterly, pp. 1-11. World Future Society, Bethesda, MD, USA, Fall 1996
Goldman, N.C.: “A lawyer’s perspective on the USIS strategies for metanation and the Lunar Economic Development Authority.” Space Governance, Vol. 3:1, pp. 16–17, 34, July 1996. Smith, M.L.: “The compliance with international space law of the LEDA proposal.” Space Governance, Vol. 4:1, pp. 16-19, January 1997
Robinson, G.S. and White, H.M.: Envoys of Mankind: a Declaration of First Principles for the Governance of Space Societies. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC, USA, 1986. Robinson, G.S.: “Natural law and a declaration of humankind interdependence.” Space Governance, Part I, Vol.2:1, pp. 14-17; Part II, Vol.2:2, pp. 32-35, 1995
O’Donnell, D.J.: “Founding a space nation utilizing living systems theory.” Behavioral Science, Vol. 39:2, pp. 93–116, April 1994. “Metaspace: a design for governance in outer space.” Space Governance, Vol. 1:1, pp. 8-27
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1998 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this paper
Cite this paper
Harris, P.R., O’Donnell, D.J. (1998). Facilitating a New Space Market Through a Lunar Economic Development Authority. In: Haskell, G., Rycroft, M. (eds) New Space Markets. Space Studies, vol 2. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5030-9_29
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5030-9_29
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-6112-4
Online ISBN: 978-94-011-5030-9
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive