On Thursday 13 July 2017, Luxembourg's Chamber of Deputies approved the draft law on the exploration and use of space resources.

Luxembourg thus becomes the first European country to put in place legislation that gives private operators assurances as to the ownership of the resources they extract in outer space. The law will enter into force on 1 August 2017. The legislation recognises both the principle that space resources are subject to appropriation and regulates the approval and supervision of exploration and use of space resources.

This legal framework is one of the main pillars of the strategy adopted by the government in the framework of the SpaceResources.lu initiative to develop the sector of exploration and the use of space resources.

Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister, Étienne Schneider, said "As the first country in Europe to set up a legal framework for activities relating to the use of space resources, Luxembourg confirms its position as a European pioneer and leader in this sector with strong development potential. The draft law was approved by almost all members during the vote in the Chamber of Deputies. This support from all parties is a strong political support for the SpaceResources.lu initiative and a strong signal for companies and investors active in this sector."