Putting things into perspective: Some comments on the US Space Resource and Utilization Act of 2015

On November 25, President Obama signed into law the Space Resource and Utilization Act of 2015. The Act recognizes property rights of US citizens on asteroid resources they have extracted. The Act has been received by both enthusiasm and scepticism regarding its effect on international space law. However, a brief analysis of the situation from a technological, legal and US-domestic perspective reveals that importance of the Act lies mainly in the domestic US politics and economy.    

On traveling to Mars

NASA has released an infographic concerning its path to Mars. However, there has been increasing criticism to NASA’s strategy. At the same, studies suggest that a travel to Mars is an extremely dangerous endeavor, to the extent of being viewed as unethical under current astronaut health standards.