Economic and Social Council. Agenda

Transcription

1 C S I A M U N X CHAIR REPORT Economic and Social Council Agenda (1) Promoting the economic regulation of private and national space mining and extraterrestrial resources (2) Restricting the use of biochemical weapons to prevent national and international social insecurity

2 Committee: Economic and Social Council Agenda: Promoting the economic regulation of private and national space mining and extraterrestrial resources Chair: Chaemin HWANG, Junyoung KIM 1. Introduction Mining of extraterrestrial resources, a technology once reserved for the pages of science fiction novels is quickly becoming reality. Nations all over the globe are racing to be the first to stake their claim in the great unknown, and they re not the only ones racing to do so. Private companies, some of them with more funding and manpower than many small countries, are already making progress beyond that of most space faring nations. Programs like SpaceX were able to achieve technological breakthroughs, such as vertical take off and landing with rockets, a crucial technology for sustainable space travel. With such technologies being developed every day, it will be only a matter of time before space mining becomes a viable venture. The resources in space are more than abundant to either widen the wage gap so vastly that it can t be closed, or elevate the life standard of every human on earth to a comfortable level; the outcome will depend on how these resources are used and controlled. However, despite this monumental role these resources will play, we are yet to create any tangible infrastructure or written international law that will significantly influence space mining. How can we leave something that will change human economics and society forever so unattended? We, as members of the international community who are at the forefront of economic policy and regulation, have a duty and an obligation to take on this problem and attempt to find a peaceful, sustainable solution. This agenda report will outline the background of the issue, including a brief history on how this problem came to be, the major parties and how they connect, the present situation and how the future will be shaped by space mining. We will also address previous attempts to solve the problem and run through some possible solutions. 2. Definition of Key Terms Space mining The excavation, retrieval, and usage of natural resources found outside of Earth s atmosphere. Almost always, the resource being targeted is found in only small amounts on Earth. Extraterrestrial resources Extraterrestrial resources are natural resources that are found outside of the boundaries of Earth. They are most often found in the form of passing asteroids or other small celestial objects. Rare earth resources Rare earth resources are any natural resources that are hard to obtain or are only found in small amounts on Earth. Some examples would be the gas Helium or the metal Neodymium. Rare earth resources are often essential to several modern technologies such as nanorobotics, wireless communication, and faster, smaller microprocessors.

3 Space mining venture Any enterprise with the end goal of space mining will be referred to as a space mining venture for the sake of unity. Whether the venture is being proposed and developed by a private party or a national party is irrelevant. Celestial object Celestial object refers to any naturally occurring body found in outer space. Outer space Outer space is any region of space outside of the Earth s atmosphere. Private space agency Any private (non-national) party with the capability to put manmade objects into space for the purposes of research or commercial gain will henceforth be referred to as private space agencies. 3. Background Information Space exploration has been a subject of fascination for humans ever since we evolved enough to gaze in to the night sky and wonder what lies beyond the clouds. For a time, the international community was content to simply explore, to send billion-dollar expeditions to the moon for nothing more than taking photos or collecting rock samples. We found value in knowledge and fulfillment in taking on the unknown. But space is no longer the untouchable and unknowable mystery it was just a few decades ago. With exponential growth in technologies like reusable rockets, more efficient fuels resulting in cheaper launch costs, and advanced space vehicles which are able to last longer and do more in space, people are able to reach space faster and easier than ever before. People no longer wish to explore: they wish to use, to exploit. Space mining will fulfill this wish. There are trillions of dollars worth of resources in space, completely untouched and unused. When these resources are brought to Earth (when, not if) they will completely change human society for the better or for the worse. Perhaps the most noteworthy thing about the space mining is that unlike nearly every other sector of space exploration and use, mining finds its origins almost exclusively in the private sector. This is primarily because of capitalism and its prevalence in society. History has shown time and time again that companies with millions on the line can create technological innovations that government run agencies can only dream of. With trillions on the line, companies have amassed talents and resource pools that governments are struggling to keep up with. In addition, the federal budget for space programs only continues to shrink while private investment is growing exponentially. Perhaps the most prominent example of private space exploration is SpaceX. An American startup created by noted entrepreneur and inventor Elon Musk, SpaceX has made incredibly important headway into crucial technologies required for space mining. Starting with a basic launch vehicle concept, the Falcon, they quickly became the first company to successfully launch a liquid fueled rocket into space. In other words, they were the first to show the world that space exploration without governmental supervision is possible. Since the launch of the Falcon, the most important development that SpaceX has made is the development of a Vertical Takeoff and Vertical Landing (VTVL) rocket system. No longer do boosters and rocket engines, which cost hundreds of millions, need to be thrown away. It can land on the surface of an asteroid and leave again, landing on earth whole and intact and saving

4 billions. SpaceX is just one example of a whole plethora of innovative, motivated startups, all with the same goal: to mine asteroids and explore space without government interference. National agencies will either need to change or will end up falling behind. Of course, no matter how advanced and dedicated companies are, there are just some things that they cannot obtain on their own. Land from which they can launch and the legal right to use local airspace for spacecraft launches are a primary issue, not to mention the fact that space centers often require special landscaping and infrastructure; this would be impossible to build without the permission and support of the country on which the space launch center is based. One of the cases that portray the active support from the government is Luxembourg. To target this niche market, the government of the small country of Luxembourg has launched an extensive private space program support policy. Luxembourg may be small in terms of territory, but a closer look reveals a massive influx of money going through the country that has a vitalized economy, a young and ambitious workforce and a stable, advanced infrastructure. Knowing that they would never be able to compete with countries like the United States through their own space program, Luxembourg has decided to use their features to their fullest advantage and support start ups on their own soil extensively through financial and legal means. Companies who decide to headquarter in Luxembourg will be subject to lucrative tax exemptions, full governmental support including funding, and many other benefits. The role of the nation in space exploration isn t shrinking: it s changing. An age is approaching in which we will get used to yesterday just in time to greet tomorrow. All parties involved in space mining will have to adapt and achieve glory, or fail and fade in obscurity. 4. Major Countries and Organizations Involved United States of America As the undisputed leader of space technology around the world, the United States of America (which will henceforth be referred to as the USA) has a pivotal role to play in the development and regulation of space mining technology. American companies are at the forefront of the space mining market in terms of both investment and development, and the National Aeronautics and Space Agency - more commonly known as NASA - is a pioneer in the field of space exploration, having achieved many landmark feats such as the Apollo 11 lunar landings. National Aeronautics & Space Agency (NASA) The national space agency of the aforementioned USA, NASA has maintained its place as the leading researchers and developers of space exploration and mining technology. With the development of private space agencies and the investment of global corporations into space technology, NASA is not the solitary leading figure it once was; it is now forced to compete, making the agency broaden its interests, particularly in the field of space mining. Russia The first nation in history to achieve manned space travel, Russia has a prolific and well-earned record of success in the field of space exploration and research. Though its space program has declined steadily in the years after the fall of the USSR, Russia s space program remains incredibly strong and is perhaps, the only agency that can challenge NASA both in terms of experience and accomplishments. Russia is one of the few nations with its own space station.

5 With reorganization of the national space agency planned, Russia aims to recreate a strong foundation in order to be competitive in the coming race for extraterrestrial resources. Luxembourg A small European nation barely the size of Rhode Island, Luxembourg has long been the favored holiday destination for the wealthy and a breeding ground for new ideas and new ventures in an incredibly economically liberal environment. With the changes to its space program policy, Luxembourg aims to attract private companies to build their programs in Luxembourg, possibly pushing the small nation to the forefront of next generation space mining. Private Space Agency The wide proliferation of space technologies, as well as newfound public interest in space mining has enabled private companies such as SpaceX to create their own space programs, which are worthy equals and competitors to state run programs. Because privately funded programs don t need to worry about funding or any other results apart from possible ways of creating profit, they can often be more effective than many national space programs. The United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) The United Nations body in charge of all space affairs, the UNOOSA is responsible for promoting sustainable space development and ensuring that there is no conflict between nations or clashes between space programs over the usage of space. As space mining becomes more viable, the UNOOSA will be responsible for maintaining order and fair usage of resources, as well as regulating the irresponsible use of resources by member states. It will play a pivotal role in filling out the legal gray area of space mining. 5. Timeline of Key Events 1963 The first Declaration of Legal Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space is published, setting basic rules for all future space programs to follow The Apollo 11 mission lands on the moon, signaling a new age in space technology and usage. This marks the first occasion that a human came into contact with a celestial body other than Earth Conestoga I, the first privately owned and launched space vehicle, successfully reaches space The Commercial Space Launch Act further encourages private space ventures and mandates NASA to support these ventures SpaceShipOne becomes the first successful privately owned and flown manned spacecraft A private company from Luxembourg successfully launches the first private payload to the Moon President Barack Obama approves the U.S. Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act, which allows U.S. Private space ventures to keep the spoils of space mining 2022 Nasa aims to launch an unmanned expedition to 16 Psyche, a metal asteroid worth approximately $10,000 quadrillion dollars.

6 6. Relevant UN Treaties, Resolutions and Events Resolution 2222 (XXI) of the General Assembly: Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies. Resolution 1962 (XVIII) of the General Assembly: Declaration of Legal Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space Resolution 51/122 of the General Assembly: Declaration on International Cooperation in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space for the Benefit and in the Interest of All States, Taking into Particular Account the Needs of Developing Countries 7. Previous Attempts to Solve the Issue Owing to the rather futuristic and modern nature of this issue, the international community hasn t felt the need to address this problem in a significant manner until recent years. Regardless, laws relating to other aspects of space exploration may apply to mining to a certain extent, but it is clear that new laws and policies must be created. That said, attempts to solve the issue can be divided into two main areas: policies and developments. Policies are the umbrella term that will be used to refer to legal documents or agreements such as laws, treaties, and other non-tangible documents. The term developments will be used to refer to physical, tangible deterrents to abuse of extraterrestrial resources, such as nuclear weapons, space stations, and military interventions. While laws and policies specific to space mining practically don t even exist, laws pertaining to a nation or a company s boundaries in space and its freedoms and limitations are very common. Satellites are found by the thousands in the stratosphere, and if not for each party having a set area to work in, we would be unable to launch any new ones because of all the debris from crashed satellites. Likewise, if not for international laws preventing any nation from laying claim to the moon as its territory, we would most likely be referring to it as U.S. territory. Laws and policies are the backbones of human civilization and this is no different in outer space. Some companies have become truly global superpowers comparable to most nations, yet they are unbound by the many obligations and duties that bind other nations. So how are they regulated? Rather than being subjected to territory laws, companies have been subjected to economic regulations. Companies like SpaceX are only able to go into space for certain purposes: step over that boundary, and you are unable to fly. In response to this, some companies have begun hiring lawyers specifically for extraterrestrial matters, creating a culture and system of legal cross regulation. Both nations and companies will continue to develop in the field of space mining, and as they do, the systems which regulate them will evolve alongside them. In our society, nuclear attacks are a very tangible and real threat, but they are the very threats that have kept the uneasy peace between major world powers for decades now. No country can now dare to invade or attack another for fear of nuclear retaliation from the country being attacked or one of their allies. This threat also applies to space. On earth, one oil field or gold mine, in the grand scope

7 of things, means little to nothing. A few million dollars will be lost, but there will always be more mines and more fields. One asteroid, in comparison, could be worth trillions of trillions and could come by only once every few centuries. If a nation were to hijack such an asteroid from another nation, it could be more than enough cause for war; the threat of nuclear attacks keeps any nation from such hijinks. However, the threat of violence and war alone cannot suffice as a long-term solution, especially if space mining is to benefit all of the humanity. New, peaceful solutions will have to be found. 8. Possible Solutions The pen is mightier than the sword, or so it is said. If space mining is to contribute to human society in any positive way, nations will need to learn to put aside their differences and work together to share the resources equally and fairly. Such peace could only be brought about by the collaboration of the international community on a far grander scale than what is currently happening. An independent organization with jurisdiction over major space faring countries and their extraterrestrial affairs could be created. This type of organization would be given collective power by nations agreeing to such a venture, and would be completely independent from politics and unbiased towards all member nations. This may seem like it would hurt profits for some countries, but this is not the case. By creating more distribution and richer countries, more trading partners will be created, resulting in more money. Another potential solution would be the creation of a completely separate economy for extraterrestrial resources. A separate market could keep the resources from flooding the current market and causing an economic crisis. All countries and companies could participate and create a culture of sharing and exploring.

8 Bibliography Edwards, Jim. "Goldman Sachs: space-mining for platinum is 'more realistic than perceived'." Business Insider. Business Insider, 06 Apr Web. 31 July Garcia-Yarnoz, Daniel. "United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs." Space Law Treaties and Principles. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 July SpaceX. "About" SpaceX. SpaceX, 27 Nov Web. 31 July Minter, Adam. "Asteroid Mining Has a New Champion." Bloomberg.com. Bloomberg, 26 July Web. 31 July Lant, Karla. "NASA Is Fast-Tracking Plans to Explore a Metal Asteroid Worth $10,000 Quadrillion." Futurism. N.p., 25 May Web. 31 July Steigerwald, Bill. "New NASA Mission to Help Us Learn How to Mine Asteroids." NASA. NASA, 02 Mar Web. 31 July "Luxembourg shoots for the stars with fresh space mining deal." MINING.com. N.p., 31 July Web. 31 July Cofield, Calla. "Extraterrestrial Gold Rush: What's Next for the Space Mining Industry?" Space.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 July Heath, Thomas. "Space-mining may be only a decade away. Really." The Washington Post. WP Company, 28 Apr Web. 31 July 2017.