Pioneering resource regimes for the Moon
We are prototyping policies for managing lunar resources in a way that is sustainable, lawful, and multilateral.
States and private companies are rushing to use lunar resources, and few frameworks exist.
Nation states and private companies are heading to the Moon. But there is no legal consensus on the basis for resource utilization and exploitation. We need new models of resource management that enable both technological innovation and scientific exploration for the benefit of all.
Humans are returning to the Moon with the intention to stay, requiring local resources.
Numerous missions are underway to drill into the surface of the Moon and use its resources. These missions are not photos from a history book, they are current events involving space agencies and private companies.
Globally, we lack the clarity and legal tools to guide lunar resource utilization.
Currently there is no sustainable system for managing the exploitation of lunar resources. The Outer Space Treaty provides broad direction but not policy prescriptions, and the Moon Treaty does not have enough international recognition to provide a solution.
Inaction will impact the viability of these missions and our shared lunar future.
We have a window of action at the moment, but the risk of inaction is great. Conflicts over resources, degradation of scientific sites, and early monopolization are a possibility. If this were to happen, that could hinder markets and sustainable development.
How might we preserve some parts of the Moon while allowing innovation to flourish?
The Breaking Ground Trust generates and tests policies for lunar governance.
Our goal is to avoid unilateral actions, overutilization and conflicts over resources by generating new policies, testing the viability of these policies, and advocating for the policies that proves to be effective. Explore our work
Develop resource management policies.
We want to find ways of managing lunar resources through innovative property rights regimes. The proposed policies will be created, analyzed, and published by a group of experts working with Breaking Ground on these issues.
Prove their viability in practice.
These new management regimes will be tested on regolith purchased by the Breaking Ground Trust in order to prove their viability. Breaking Ground is partnering with actors to purchase regolith. That regolith is managed according to the tested policy.
Advocate for broader adoption.
Once the viability of these policies is proven, the model can be adapted to other resources whether they are located in space or on Earth. The policies are open-sourced and aim to be adaptative.
“Normative frameworks and shared agreements are the building blocks for future trade in the solar system. We’re excited to be working with Breaking Ground to explore this exciting new domain.”
Timothy Crain Ph.D,
Vice President of Research and Development at Intuitive Machines
Intuitive Machines signed Breaking Ground’s first MoU. This partnership lays the foundations for an ongoing collaboration between the two organizations .
Breaking Ground affirms and acknowledges the breadth and diversity of pursuits on the Moon.
We have six pillars that govern our approach to policy development, with the goal of incorporating and including views and interests of science, engineering, policy, politics and other involved fields.
Multilateralism
The trust is led by a committee of stakeholders and actively convenes multilateral fora to increase diverse stakeholder representation in space policy design and resource management.
Stewardship
We recognise the value of lunar resources but believe that existing approaches modelled on the way we conduct commerce on Earth are not appropriate to the lunar environment.
Fair competition
Prevent monopoly of lunar resources, conflict over resources and winner-takes-all dynamics by developing policies promoting fair competition.
Plurality
We incorporate and include views and interests of science, developing economies, industry leaders, governments, and civil society.
Adaptation
Our policies aim to be flexible in order to follow and support the technological developments inherent to lunar activities. Adaptability is crucial for the success of our management regimes.
Purposeful markets
We can affirm economic development in space and innovative private sector ambitions whilst balancing risks and externalities if we place thoughtful guardrails and directionality on market development.