For as long as\u00a0we’ve\u00a0existed, humans have\u00a0looked up at the stars \u2014 and wondered.\u00a0What is up there? Who is out there?<\/em><\/p>\n Now, to that list of questions we can add: And\u00a0CAN I HAVE IT?<\/em><\/p>\n The United States has already shown its penchant for claiming ownership of space-based things. There are not one, not two, but\u00a0six<\/em> U.S. flags on the moon, in case any of you other nations start getting ideas. (Never mind that the flags have all faded to a stateless white<\/a> by now.)<\/p>\n So it only makes sense that American\u00a0lawmakers would seek to\u00a0guarantee property rights for U.S. space corporations. Under the SPACE Act<\/a>, which just passed the House, businesses that do asteroid mining will be able to keep whatever they dig up:<\/p>\n Any asteroid resources obtained in outer space are the property of the entity that obtained such resources, which shall be entitled to all property rights thereto, consistent with applicable provisions of Federal law.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n This is how we know commercial space exploration\u00a0is serious.\u00a0The opportunity here\u00a0is so vast that businesses are demanding federal protections for huge,\u00a0floating objects\u00a0they haven’t even\u00a0surveyed\u00a0yet.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/img.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/img.washingtonpost.com\/blogs\/the-switch\/files\/2015\/03\/SLS.jpg&w=1484\")
Artist concept of NASA\u2019s Space Launch System (SLS) 70-metric-ton configuration launching to space. (NASA\/MSFC)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n