[cripplecreek]

I wonder if Richard Branson wants an asteroid?

I'm afraid Richard Branson can't have an asteroid.

The res communis doctrine resounds most prominently when dealing with property ownership rights in outer space. The Outer Space Treaty not only forbids claiming of territory by nations, but its child, the Moon Treaty, attempts to extend that prohibition to private legal entities also. Although the United States is not a signatory to the Moon Treaty, it has not taken open actions to actually refute its legal viability. The result is that the Moon Treaty and its res communis doctrine has slowly crept into the realm of accepted international law.

It’s time to rethink international space law

"What prudent merchant will hazard his fortunes in any new branch of commerce when he knows not that his plans may be rendered unlawful before they can be executed?"

-James Monroe

[GonzoGOP]

No nation that has a space program has ever signed the Moon treaty. Most importantly while the US hasn't openly objected to it the PRC has. As soon as there is a way to make a buck (Yuan) from an asteroid the PRC or the Russians will grab one. And after that blows the UN useless treaties to bits everyone else will too.

The League of Nations made war illegal. How did that work out for them?