Into the Final Frontier: The Expanse of Space Commercialization

This Note explores the emerging commercialization of space and the legal questions that arise as companies seek to further exploit the space economy. Whether or not new laws passed in the United States and in Luxembourg that purport to give ownership rights to companies that harvest space materials comply with the Outer Space Treaty is disputed. Furthermore, the international space regime may not be equipped to govern a new age in space. This Note advocates that space mining should be legalized but finds that space law in its current form is inadequate to effectively regulate space mining and other emerging space activities such as tourism.