Documents and Press

The OSI produces white papers, original research, and public communications, such as op-eds and interviews. We are just getting started, so while modest at the moment, expect this area to grow. Opinions expressed in the associated work are those of the authors, and do not reflect an official position of the OSI.

  • "U.S. policy puts the safe development of space at risk"
    • The article explores risks associated with unilateral and bilateral space mining policy. The full article can be found here (link). The PDF reprint is here (link).
    • A brief overview of the article (on YouTube) is given by co-author Michael Byers here (link).
    • A response to letters about the article, with full content here (link) . The PDF reprint is here (link).
  • International Open Letter on Space Mining and Signature Form
    • The Outer Space Institute is pleased to publish the International Open Letter on Space Mining (link), which stresses the need for a multilateral agreement on the exploration, exploitation, and utilization of space resources and calls on states to present a resolution at the UN General Assembly that urges the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space to negotiate a draft of such an agreement. The list of early signatories is appended to the letter.
    • The International Open Letter on Space Mining is now open for additional signatures. Should you wish to add your name, please use the following form (link). The current full list of signatories is available here (link). Note: updates may take a few minutes to show.
    • Globe and Mail press article about the letter can be found here (link).
  • Recommendations and Government Relations
    • Open Letter to the Canadian Government Concerning Space Resources
      • On 6 April 2020, the President of the United States signed an Executive Order on Encouraging International Support for the Recovery and Use of Space Resources wherein the U.S. Administration takes the unprecedented position that outer space is not a global commons. The following open letter strongly urges the Government of Canada to reiterate its policy that outer space is a global commons and work through multilateral forums to seek a widely-supported international agreement on how space resources should be recovered and used: PDF
    • The Vancouver Recommendations on Space Mining
      • In early March 2020, two dozen experts convened at the Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. Brought together by the Outer Space Institute, they came from a wide range of countries and backgrounds, including government, industry, and academia. The composition of the group was very transdisciplinary, with representation from astronomy, planetary science, engineering, environmental science, international relations, and international law. The experts adopted the following Recommendations concerning space mining: PDF . The Recommendations were drafted in consultation with industry leaders, the CSA, GAC, and NRCan.
    • Salt Spring Recommendations
      • The Recommendations were adopted at an international workshop on ‘Space Debris and National Security’ on Salt Spring Island, Canada, on January 10 and 11, 2020. They reflect a consensus view, and should not be attributed to the individual participants. The workshop was convened by the Outer Space Institute and the University of British Columbia with financial support from the Canadian Department of National Defence and the Salt Spring Forum: PDF
  • Research Articles