Introduction : 

India on the 14th of July successfully launched Chandrayaan – 3 as part of its lunar exploration mission. Accordingly, as space research progresses, concerns regarding the legal ownership and use of celestial bodies and resources grow more serious. A vital question arises: Who owns the cosmos? when mankind sets out on missions to explore other worlds and harvest asteroids for lucrative materials. The international community must balance the interests of many countries and commercial organisations in defining property rights and jurisdiction in space. In order to shed light on this interesting topic, we will analyse pertinent international treaties, agreements, and current controversies while delving into the legal issues of space travel.

• The Outer Space Treaty : 

The Outer Space Treaty, approved by the United Nations in 1967, is the cornerstone of space law. This agreement establishes key guidelines for space exploration and acts as the main regulatory framework. Celestial bodies, such as the Moon and other planets, cannot be claimed as state territory, according to one of the treaty’s main tenets. As a result, no country may claim sovereignty over any area of space. It is clearly stated in Article II of the Outer Space Treaty that “Outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means.” This clause was put in place to guarantee that space exploration and utilisation continue to serve the interests of all people, encouraging collaboration and peaceful space exploration.

• Private Entities and Commercialization of Space :

The Outer Space Treaty does not specifically address private ownership or commercial use of space resources, even if it forbids sovereign acquisition. Private businesses and entrepreneurs are therefore keen to make use of space resources, for as by creating colonies on distant planets or mining asteroids for precious minerals. 

There are now more legal issues as a result of this business interest in space. While some contend that private businesses should be allowed to exploit newly discovered riches, others stress the need of protecting celestial bodies as the shared legacy of humanity. A fundamental legal problem continues to be finding a balance between promoting private investment and making sure space resources are used responsibly.

• The Artemis Accords : 

The Artemis Accords have been suggested by numerous nations, including the US, to overcome the legal ambiguities regarding resource utilisation and space research. Participating nations undertake to follow a set of guidelines laid out in these accords while investigating the Moon and other celestial bodies. While the agreements underline the restriction on asserting sovereignty, they also emphasise the right to harvest and use space resources in accordance with international law.  The Artemis Accords are criticised for favouring the interests of a small group of spacefaring countries over those of the larger international community. Some nations are concerned that unequal access to resources and scientific possibilities may increase already-existing geopolitical problems.

• The Space Resource Exploration and Utilization Act : 

Domestically, under the Space Resource Exploration and Utilisation Act, the United States has taken measures to clarify space resource rights. This law, which was passed in 2015, enables Americans and American businesses to use space resources for profit. It claims that the party doing the extraction owns the resources that were acquired. However, some countries have criticised this action, claiming that it goes against the spirit of the Outer Space Treaty. They argue that space resources should continue to be a shared resource among all countries since their unilateral utilisation might cause resource conflicts and geopolitical problems.

• Dispute Resolution in Space : 

The possibility of disputes emerging between states or private groups increases as space operations expand. For the sake of maintaining a peaceful and cooperative space environment, it becomes imperative to resolve such issues. There is no comprehensive international process in place right now to settle conflicts relating to space. Existing international legislation, such as the United Nations Convention on the legislation of the Sea, provides direction to countries and businesses. The establishment of a specialised framework for space dispute resolution is a difficult task that needs collaboration and agreement on a global scale.

Conclusion :

The legal issues relating to ownership and use of space resources still exist as mankind continues its exploration of the universe. International collaboration in space exploration is built on the principles outlined in the Outer Space Treaty. However, new legal frameworks and agreements, like the Artemis Accords, are being suggested to handle the shifting terrain in response to the emergence of private corporations and economic interests. Maintaining a balance between encouraging commercial exploration and safeguarding the common heritage of space will need sustained international collaboration and discourse. Innovative and cooperative strategies will also be needed to resolve any conflicts that may develop during space operations. The ability of the international community to successfully manage these legal challenges and ensure the responsible and fair use of space for the benefit of all humanity is crucial to the future of space exploration.