In other words, any person, organization or company operating in space is accountable to their respective governments. However, since private property is not explicitly mentioned, some claim that it is a “loophole” in the contract that allows them to claim and sell land on the moon right now. Because of that ambiguity, there have been attempts to expand the Outer Space Treaty. For this reason, a lot of attention has recently been drawn to the existing legal framework for the moon and other celestial bodies. Let`s take a look at the history of “space law,” right? On 27 January 1967, the United States, the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union met to draft a treaty on the exploration and use of outer space. Ever since the Soviets and Americans were trapped in the space race, there was a fear on all sides that any power that managed to put resources into orbit or get to the moon first could have an advantage over others – and use those resources for evil! “States Parties shall have international responsibility for national activities in outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, whether carried out by governmental bodies or non-governmental entities, and for ensuring that national activities are carried out in accordance with the provisions of this Treaty. The activities of non-governmental organizations in outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, shall be subject to the approval and continuous monitoring of the competent State Party. »; The bottom line is that there is nothing that explicitly prevents companies from owning land on the moon. However, since there is no way to claim this land, anyone who tries to sell land to potential buyers is essentially selling snake oil. Any documentation claiming that you own an earth on the Moon is unenforceable, and no nation on the planet that has signed the Outer Space Treaty or the Moon Treaty will recognize it. On the other hand, if you could fly to the moon and build a colony there, it would be quite difficult for anyone to stop you.

But don`t expect this to be the last word on this issue. With several space agencies looking to create “international villages” and companies hoping to create a tourism industry, you might expect serious litigation on the road! “So what?” you might ask. “The OST refers to nations. I`m not a nation, so why can`t I buy 40 acres on the moon with a great view of the Apollo 15 landing site? Contrary to what you might think, this provision absolutely prevents you from buying the gray and dry piece of moon you crave. Prof. von der Dunk: The first part of the answer is yes, they can enter – at least duly authorized representatives of the United States can come to check and see if Botswana can face a violation of the requirements applicable to the moon in terms of lack of military establishment, weapons and others. On the other hand, Botswana has the right to take reasonable precautions and say, okay, you have to give us a few weeks to make sure everything is safe here. You can`t just get into that, put practical things aside. The United States certainly cannot say that we will occupy your building. Thus, the freedom of space activities explicitly means that you can build stations on the moon. You can even take reasonable precautions, as I said earlier.

You have to let others in and just because you`re able to build a station on the moon doesn`t mean you own that part of the moon forever and ever. So if at some point you don`t keep operating there and you don`t let it collapse, there`s probably no consensus on that after just a few years, but that`s the kind of rules we need to develop. But maybe after a few years, someone else can come and say it`s a ruin. It doesn`t really belong to anyone anymore. Botswana has long since renounced this. Now I have the right to build my own thing here. On December 18, 1979, the members of the United Nations presented an agreement that would be a continuation of the Outer Space Treaty and fill its alleged gaps. Known as the “Agreement to Regulate the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies” – aka.

“The Moon Treaty” or “Moon Agreement” – this treaty aimed to create a legal framework for the use of the moon and other celestial bodies. Since many people think of owning a piece of land on the moon, this is a cause for concern as it is considered illegal to sell lunar land to anyone. It was in 1967 that three major countries, the Soviet Union, the United States and the United Kingdom, drafted an international treaty, the so-called Outer Space Treaty, which was to be followed and respected by all nations. Another 109 countries, including India, have signed the treaty.