This essay began as a review of Dr Ricky J. Lee's On The Law and Regulation of Commercial Mining of Minerals in Outer Space1 but has evolved into a commentary about whether commercial mining of minerals in outer space is an appropriate focus for law and regulation. As humanity must, sooner or later, confront the legal challenges posed by space mining and other activities, it is important to discuss whether evolving law is best designed to meet those challenges.
Air and Space Law