Stupid question or serious issue?
I came across this article by complete accident … and it raises a question I never even considered.
Can somebody or some organization or even a sovereign country own the moon or other heavenly bodies as our reach expands to meteorites, comets, other planets and perhaps other solar systems some day?
(Kind of makes me think of Star Trek’s Federation vs some other alien entity over galactic territory, but I digress).
To me, answering the question is simple. Surprisingly, this article shows that it isn’t at all.
Definitely worth a read and a share
Whether you’re into mining, energy or tourism, there are lots of reasons to explore space. Some “pioneers” even believe humanity’s survival depends on colonizing celestial bodies such as the moon and Mars, both becoming central hubs for our further journey into the cosmos. Lunar land peddlers have started doing deals already – a one-acre plot can be yours for just £16.75.
More seriously, big corporations, rich entrepreneurs and even US politicians are eying up the moon and its untapped resources. Russia has plans for a manned colony by 2030 and a Japanese firm wants to build a ring of solar panels around the moon and beam energy back to Earth.
A lunar base, as imagined by NASA in the 1970s. NASA
…. To figure out whether “earthly” laws can help decide who owns what in space – or if anything can be owned at all – we must first disentangle sovereignty from property.
…. Historical records of the Space Treaty negotiations clearly indicate people were against private appropriations at the time, but an explicit prohibition never made it into Article II. Lessons have been learned from this omission and the ban was far more explicit in the subsequent Moon Agreement of 1979. However only 16 countries signed the agreement, none of which were involved in manned space exploration, leaving it somewhat meaningless as an international standard.
Consequently, space entrepreneurs such as Dennis Hope from the Lunar Embassy Corporation seem to think that there is a loophole in Article II which allows private citizens to claim ownership of the moon. Most space lawyers disagree however. They point out that states assume international responsibility for activities in space, whether by national companies or private adventurers, and therefore that the same prohibition extends to the private sector.
…. But all of these arguments are rather theoretical
…. no one is physically there. In order to possess something, both mind and body need to be involved. Intention alone is not sufficient; possession also requires a physical act ….
I don’t usually do this, but if you just want to be entertained by the whole thought process of who can own what in space, check out Michael’s video …