ya know . . . we have a model that worked in the US during the westward expansion: the Railroad.
Should the government confer "property rights" to a company (or consortium) for the purpose of encouraging the development, exploitation, and commercial use of space?
Bush's campaign said he would examine the issue, but I have heard nothing since. It is time to examine the issue and open the space resource claim office for business.
Some say that space development should be privatized and some say there is no obstacle to private development of celestial resources.
If this is so, what is the problem? Something is holding back the private sector. Could part of the problem be property rights, or the lack thereof?