> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.spacerox.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.spacerox.org/whitepaper/definitions.md).

# Definitions

Important to understand topics 🙏

## Space and the Tragedy of the Commons

**SPACE** is generally accepted as a **public good** ([non-excludable and non-rivalrous i.e air](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/public-good.asp#:~:text=Public%20goods%20are%20commodities%20or,paid%20for%20separately%20by%20individuals)) and the resources floating throughout can be interpreted as a **common good** (non-excludable and rivalrous i.e wild game used for food).

*Our current economic system frequently **exploits and undervalues public and common goods**. Examples include exploiting the environment, and undervaluing open-source software, open research, and other altruistic efforts addressing the collective needs of our society (i.e nonprofits requiring sacrifice).*

These issues are either left to fester under capitalist free market conditions, or reigned in through force by a governing body, which has its own set of issues around bureaucracy and corruption. Non-profits represent self organized altruistic efforts to protect and properly value these goods, but require sacrifice both in time and money.

The **TRAGEDY OF THE COMMONS** is thus an economic problem of overconsumption, under investment, and ultimately depletion of a common pool resource.

## Ostrom's Principles for Managing the Commons

Winning the 2009 Nobel Prize in Economics for her work on sustainable management of the commons, [Elinor Ostrom identified 8 principles for standard community management of shared resources](https://earthbound.report/2018/01/15/elinor-ostroms-8-rules-for-managing-the-commons/). These principles, collected over a lifetime of research into effective commons worldwide, are a fantastic look at large scale human collaboration **outside of the corporation and the nation state**.

Although applying these rules at scale can be challenging, recent research suggests that blockchain technology may have a role to play in overcoming key obstacles, further enabling communities to manage themselves at scale. Elevating trust from the interpersonal to the protocol level opens up space for experimentation with **new forms of collective action to achieve common goals.**

## Trustless Safety, Security and Sustainability of Outer Space

In 2019 the EU began a public diplomacy initiative designed to promote 'ethical conduct' in space amid concerns about orbital debris called: [The Safety, Security and Sustainability of Outer Space (3SOS)](https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/sos-sos-sos-eu-calls-ethical-conduct-space-avoid-collision-and-orbital-debris_en). The effort was triggered due to low Earth orbits becoming increasingly crowded with satellites and debris, a situation that's been aggravated by the deployment of mega constellations such as Elon Musk’s StarLink.

Designed to build on existing efforts like [the 21 space sustainability guidelines approved by the United Nations’ Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS)](https://spacenews.com/long-awaited-space-sustainability-guidelines-approved-by-un-committee/), 3SOS did ***not*** include any new regulations on satellite operators, out of concerns that such rules “could put those companies at a competitive disadvantage.” (Sound familiar?)

By introducing trustless web3 technology, "<mark style="color:red;">**Web**</mark><mark style="color:purple;">**3**</mark><mark style="color:blue;">**SOS**</mark>**"** is now being formally developed by the Spacerox DAO to codify all the principles and guidelines listed above into smart contracts, with additional business operations compliance rules where applicable. ***Web3SOS Compliance Standards*** will ensure proper behavior for operations and activity in space.&#x20;