Whether you’re a long-term space enthusiast, or just interested in the history and future of the moon, you’re probably wondering if it’s possible to build property on the moon. If so, how much is it going to cost and what are the advantages?
Moon Treaty
During the Cold War, the Moon Treaty was a controversial multilateral agreement. It was drafted by the international community and ratified by 18 countries. The agreement reaffirmed the basic principles of international space law.
The main principle underlying the treaty is that nations are not entitled to own the Moon. Rather, it is a common heritage of mankind and should be governed by an international regime.
The Moon Treaty aims to promote rational management of the resources on the Moon and equitable sharing of benefits among all states. It also prohibits military action and hostile acts against any celestial body. The use of military personnel for peaceful purposes is allowed.
The United States and Soviet Union rejected the Moon Treaty and have not ratified it. However, China and Russia are working on a joint moon base project. The Chinese and Russian governments invited foreign participation in the joint International Lunar Research Station.
While the Moon Treaty has a number of important provisions, it is not a very popular treaty. The central principle underlying it, namely that it is not appropriate for a nation to own Build property on moon, is still unpopular today.
Outer Space Treaty
Regardless of the legal consequences of private property claims, there are several factors that have pushed the Outer Space Treaty to the limits. These include changing geopolitics, technological advances and commercial interests.
The Moon Agreement, which was signed in 1984, is one of the most important treaties on the use of the moon. It calls for establishing an international regime to govern the exploitation of natural resources. It also acknowledges the need for equitable sharing of benefits.
Article 6 of the Moon Treaty provides an international regime to govern the use of the moon. It requires all states parties to disclose to the public information about the moon’s resources. This includes samples of materials that may be collected and used for scientific purposes.
Under this Agreement, States Parties can place facilities and equipment on or near the moon’s surface. This does not make these facilities or equipment part of the ownership of the moon. In addition, equipment can move freely over the moon.
Moon Agreement
Using the Moon for military purposes and testing weapons on the Moon are prohibited under the Moon Agreement. However, it does allow for peaceful exploration of the Moon and the use of equipment for that purpose.
The Moon Agreement was signed in December 1979 at the initiative of the Soviet Union. It reaffirmed provisions from the Outer Space Treaty concerning celestial bodies and extraterrestrial resources. It also provided for the establishment of an international regime for the exploitation of lunar resources.
According to the agreement, the Moon is a common heritage of mankind. It cannot be used for hostile acts and must be managed by a common entity. The Moon and its natural resources are not to be resold to private entities.
The Moon Agreement also requires that any station on the Moon be notified to the United Nations. In fact, a legal subcommittee was established to consider the Moon Agreement from 1972 to 1979.
The Moon Treaty was a failure. It excluded Russia, Japan, and the larger members of the European Space Agency (ESA). It was never ratified by the United States, China, or the UK. In addition, no country engaged in crewed space exploration ratified the treaty.
International Law of the Sea Treaty
Having a legal framework for governing the use of space resources is becoming a priority for international organizations. The International Institute of Space Law, in particular, is promoting the expansion of space law. Some countries are also enacting national laws.
The Outer Space Treaty is an example of an international treaty. It establishes the rules of the road for the peaceful use of outer space. It limits the scope of national sovereignty over celestial bodies, and it prohibits harmful contamination of these areas. However, it has not prevented claims for ownership of celestial bodies.
The Moon Agreement was another attempt to create a similar regime. It was not ratified by all major spacefaring nations. Some countries, including Belgium, have advocated deliberations on the Agreement. The United States has not ratified the agreement, and its current policy focuses on the role of commercial partners.
According to Article IV, the Moon Agreement sets up a “regime for the rational management and exploitation of lunar resources”. Its purpose is to ensure that all benefits are shared among all states. This is a less restrictive approach than the Outer Space Treaty.