The FSA wishes to propose a treaty for discussion. The FSA has deep concerns about the Outer Space Treaty as written. And proposes changes to the treaty to correct the problems. If some of these issues are not met, the FSA may be forced to leave the treaty.
The following is a summary of the proposals the FSA wishes to discuss.
The New Outer Space Treaty (NOST) Proposal for discussion. These are FSA concepts, but not demands.
- The concept of no claiming any objects in space in the new Trans-Newtonian world is obsolete.
- That objects (defined as comets, asteroids, and Kuiper belt objects (KBOs)) should have a well understood means of claiming for use.
- That Mars, being the planet most suitable for human settlement should be treated as a special case.
- That Luna, being the moon of Earth, shall be treated as a special case.
- That there are 4 major planetary systems. (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) that have extensive moon systems. That each of the major powers should be able to claim one of these as their own domain. The remaining Planet-moon system would be open to claims by any nation.
- That all ships and probe launches are to be registered with the UN. This registration would be a very general. (Such as VSS Fajr: Exploration, or USS Cape Lookout: Logistics, or HMS Assult: Military) This registration follows the UN registration of launches that currently exists. (OOC: Also lets people following the game but cannot see the private forums a idea of what is being built. And gives a chance to name civilian ships)
As for some proposals for actual mechanics
- Object claims: Upon placing some permanent full time equipment (Such as a civilian mining base or a automine) on the object, and a public announcement of such to the UN, the object will be viewed as claimed. each object claim gets a 20 million KM exclusion area.
- That Mars and Luna should fall under a treaty like the Svalbard Treaty. Commercial and scientific exploration will be allowed by all parties of the treaty, and settlement can occur. However, no military bases are allowed on Mars (No PDCs) and military ships are only allowed to orbit and land to drop off personnel. Phobos and Deimos can be used for observation to make sure that the treaty is being followed on mars. The only troops allowed are garrison troops to keep public order in the settlements and construction battalions.
- That each Power selects a Major Planet moon system, and gains a claim with a large exclusion area (100 million KM?) around that planet. The 4th system is open to all.
- exclusion area is a area around a object that no state owned craft may enter. However it is understood that if a orbit takes it into a area that accidents can happen, and that private craft can ignore this. (I cannot control the private companies craft). Thus if Eros is claimed, and Earth swings by, you don't get to claim that everything around earth is violating its space (And comets effectively have zero claims)
- Mercury and Venus need to be discussed.