space resources | ANZSIL Perspective

Multilateralism and the Development of Governance Instruments for Space Resource Activities

by Steven Freeland | 21 May 2026

Interest in Space Resource Activities Over the past 10-15 years, we have seen renewed discussion regarding possible benefits that might be derived from the future exploration, exploitation, and utilization of the natural resources of the Moon and other celestial bodies. While ‘space resource activities’ may indeed give rise to positive outcomes, there are, however, some significant risks and challenges to be considered. Increasingly, therefore, the international community has come to recognise that it would be desirable that governance mechanisms be developed to ensure that any future space resources activities are undertaken in a manner that is safe, peaceful and sustainable and minimises...

The Artemis Accords: A Critical Legal Analysis of Space Mining Reforms and Their Alignment with Current Space Law

by Jack Holmes | 30 Oct 2024

Background The Artemis Accords (‘the Accords’) are a significant recent attempt at creating a norm of space mining in line with the US’s Artemis campaign. The campaign missions will, among other things, build the first permanent lunar base to study the lunar surface and to prepare for future missions to Mars. The Accords explicitly permit the mining of the Moon, Mars, comets, asteroids and arguably other celestial bodies, representing a break from the established prohibition of space mining activities in space law. Australia and New Zealand are among the 43 signatories to the Accords. The sheer number of signatories to the Accords and the calibre of their respective economic and...

Safety Zones: A Legally backed Concept or an Attempt to Colonize Space?

by Hussein Badreddine | 30 Oct 2024

The Artemis Accords (AA), although classified as a soft law instrument, has been criticized by opposing States and scholars because of the process of its formation as well as its substantive content. Among the contentious provisions are section 10 which considers that the extraction of space resources does not amount to national appropriation under article II of the Outer Space Treaty; and section 11 which permits the establishment of safety zones. This paper addresses the issue of safety zones. The primary question is whether the establishment of such zones amounts to national appropriation, thereby violating article II of the OST and article 11.2 of the Moon Agreement (MA). To provide an...