Abstract
The analyses of samples gathered during Moon exploration missions, together with several orbital prospections, have shown that the composition of lunar soil and rocks has in some cases a higher concentration of minerals than Earth's composition. In a foreseeable near-future scenario in which space would be a crucial element of the economic system, the mining industry may find useful and more affordable extracting raw materials and resources from the Moon. In addition, processing resources in a microgravity environment in low lunar orbit (LLO) or in low Earth orbit (LEO) could result in higher performance products with respect to the transformation industry. Thus, it is possible to imagine a commercial flow of resources and goods between Earth and LEO as consequence of the current research status. The scenario given in this study foresees a developed market in the Earth–Moon system, in which resources such as water, minerals, processed materials, parts, components, subsystems, systems, and final products are gathered, processed, produced, traded, and, therefore, transported among the main hubs, namely Earth, LEO, LLO, and Moon. This article analyzes a possible link between technical and economic aspects of future trades in the aforementioned system. A regulatory framework based on the existing international and national space laws is also analyzed to sustain the proposed model.
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