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  Antarctica claims and future space resources

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Author Topic:   Antarctica claims and future space resources
SpaceAholic
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Posts: 4437
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 12-29-2015 02:24 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for SpaceAholic   Click Here to Email SpaceAholic     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
An array of countries are rushing to assert greater influence in Antarctica, with an eye not just toward the day protective treaties expire, but also for the strategic and commercial opportunities that exist right now, The New York Times reports.

Instructive as it portends how countries may similarly approach colonization and claims on the moon and beyond.

"The newer players are stepping into what they view as a treasure house of resources," said Anne-Marie Brady, a scholar at New Zealand's University of Canterbury who specializes in Antarctic politics.

Some of the ventures focus on the Antarctic resources that are already up for grabs, like abundant sea life. China and South Korea, both of which operate state-of-the-art bases here, are ramping up their fishing of krill, the shrimplike crustaceans found in abundance in the Southern Ocean, while Russia recently thwarted efforts to create one of the world's largest ocean sanctuaries here.

Some scientists are examining the potential for harvesting icebergs from Antarctica, which is estimated to have the biggest reserves of fresh water on the planet. Nations are also pressing ahead with space research and satellite projects to expand their global navigation abilities.

mode1charlie
Member

Posts: 1169
From: Honolulu, HI
Registered: Sep 2010

posted 12-29-2015 03:10 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mode1charlie   Click Here to Email mode1charlie     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Yikes! Depleting krill populations, the base of the food chain - what could possibly go wrong?

I'm all in favor of commercial harvesting of space resources, but like in the Antarctic, it needs to have some accountability and regulation to prevent bad things from happening.

moorouge
Member

Posts: 2454
From: U.K.
Registered: Jul 2009

posted 12-30-2015 07:37 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for moorouge   Click Here to Email moorouge     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
There was a report on the BBC in the last few days that suggested the current international space treaties/laws were out of date and new ones were needed to bring them more in line with current demands/needs of the world's nations.

All times are CT (US)

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