SpaceMiningData
National statuteLuxembourgIn force

Luxembourg Law of 20 July 2017 on the exploration and use of space resources

Luxembourg statute providing that space resources are capable of being owned and requiring a written mission authorisation from the ministers in charge of the economy and space activities for any commercial exploration or use of space resources by a Luxembourg-registered company.

Facts

Level
National statute
Scope
National
Country
Luxembourg
Citation
Loi du 20 juillet 2017 sur l'exploration et l'utilisation des ressources de l'espace; ELI: eli/etat/leg/loi/2017/07/20/a674/jo
Adopted
2017-07-20
In force
2017-08-01
Status
In forceListed by the Luxembourg Space Agency as part of the current national legal framework; first authorisation granted under it on 22 November 2024 (see Luxembourg space resources mission authorisation to ispace EUROPE S.A. for the TENACIOUS micro-rover (2024)).

Resource provisions

A paraphrase followed by the source wording.

Art. 1: space resources are capable of being owned (French original prevails). Art. 2: no person may explore or use space resources without a written mission authorisation from the ministers; Art. 3: authorisation is granted to an operator for a mission of exploration and use of space resources for commercial purposes; Art. 4: applicant must be a Luxembourg-law company or European Company with registered office in Luxembourg.

Space resources are capable of being owned. [1]

Authorizations that cite it

CountryHolder and missionInstrumentGrantedLinked mission
LuxembourgLuxembourg space resources mission authorisation to ispace EUROPE S.A. for the TENACIOUS micro-rover (2024)Holder: ispace EUROPE S.A.Space resources authorization2024-11-22GrantedTENACIOUS micro-rover (ispace-EUROPE)Flew. Outcome: failure

Open evidence gaps

  • Official French text on Legilux (https://legilux.public.lu/eli/etat/leg/loi/2017/07/20/a674/jo) could not be fetched (HTTP 403 to this server); quotes rely on the Luxembourg Space Agency English translation, which states the French version prevails.
  • Entry-into-force date (1 August 2017) is from a law-firm publication, not from the Journal officiel.

Sources

6 sources
  1. [1]Law of July 20th 2017 on the exploration and use of space resources (English translation)
    Luxembourg Space AgencyLegislationAccessed 2026-09-25Supports: resource provisionsarticle Article 1
    Article 1 Space resources are capable of being owned.
    Quote matched the source text when accessed. Translation is unofficial.
  2. [2]Law of July 20th 2017 - Article 2(1)
    Luxembourg Space AgencyLegislationAccessed 2026-09-25Supports: resource provisions, summaryarticle Article 2(1)
    No person can explore or use space resources without holding a written mission authorisation from the minister or ministers in charge of the economy and space activities
    Quote matched the source text when accessed. Translation is unofficial.
  3. [3]Law of July 20th 2017 - Article 3
    Luxembourg Space AgencyLegislationAccessed 2026-09-25Supports: resource provisionsarticle Article 3
    The authorisation shall be granted to an operator for a mission of exploration and use of space resources for commercial purposes upon written application to the ministers.
    Quote matched the source text when accessed. Translation is unofficial.
  4. [4]Law of July 20th 2017 - translation status note
    Luxembourg Space AgencyLegislationAccessed 2026-09-25Supports: sources
    This is the English translation of the French original text.
    Quote matched the source text when accessed. Translation is unofficial.
  5. [5]The Space Law Review, 4th edition - Luxembourg chapter (Arendt & Medernach)
    Arendt & Medernach / Law Business ResearchPressPublished 2024-04Accessed 2026-09-25Supports: in force datepage 6
    The Space Resources Law entered into force on 1 August 2017.
    Quote matched the source text when accessed.
  6. [6]Legal Framework - Luxembourg Space Agency
    Luxembourg Space AgencyGovernment recordAccessed 2026-09-25Supports: status, resource provisions
    The Law on Space Activities does not apply to missions involving the exploration and use of space resources falling under the Law of 20 July 2017 on the Exploration and Use of Space Resources
    Quote matched the source text when accessed.