colonizing the moon: the legal challenges

Colonizing the Moon:

The Legal Challenges

Thomas CheneyPhD candidate, Sunderland University, Sunderland UK

Member, SGAC Space Law and Policy Project Group

Image: NASA

Introduction to Space Law

Image: NASA Thomas Cheney, Sunderland University, 2015

Intro to Space Law

• The Space Treaties:

–Outer Space Treaty

–Rescue Agreement

–Liability Convention

–Registration Convention

–Moon Agreement

Thomas Cheney, Sunderland University, 2015

Outer Space Treaty 1967

-‘Magna Carta’ or the ‘Constitution’ of space

-Ratified by 103 states and signed by a further 25

-Considered to have become customary international law

-Free access and use of space for all

-National Appropriation is prohibited

-States are responsible for their activities or those of their

citizens

-No WMDs in space

-All of International Law applies


Moon Agreement 1979

• Treaty in Force

• Generally considered ‘failed treaty’

• 16 states have ratified, 4 have signed

• Contains ‘common heritage of mankind’ provision

• Art 11 bans ownership of moon or natural resources in place

• Calls for an international regime to govern resource extraction, like the International Seabed Authority


Legal Challenges of

Lunar Settlement and Colonization

Thomas Cheney, Sunderland University, 2015Image: ESA

Who Owns the Moon?

• Short answer: no one and everyone!

• Art II OST bans national appropriation

• Space is part of the ‘global commons’

• Freedom of use and exploration for all

• Free access to all areas of celestial bodies

• Would own base/habitat itself but not land it

sits on


Whose Laws Apply?

• States retain jurisdiction over ‘space objects’

• Laws of owner would apply within

• Laws might not extend beyond base

• May need to be stipulated in ticket/contract


International Co-operation

• An international base could have multiple

jurisdictions

• Treaty would be needed

• International Space Station model/example

Thomas Cheney, Sunderland University, 2015Image: NASA

Property Rights

• Property rights without sovereignty?

• Extracted materials but not land?

• What about my IPod?


Environment and Heritage Protection

• Environmental protection is important

• Learn the lessons from Earth

• How much do we want to change the Moon?

• What about the Apollo landing sites?

Thomas Cheney, Sunderland University, 2015Images: NASA

Enforcement

• Lunar Cities will depend on Earth

• Companies, suppliers etc., will be based on

Earth

• States able and required to take enforcement

action

• Space Police are possible!


Independence

• No mechanism available at the moment

• International law evolves as needed

• Independence is inevitable

• Independence is possible - has happened

before, Singapore is no longer British after all!


Thank You For Listening!

If you’ve any questions feel free to contact me:

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @thomcheney

Thomas Cheney, Sunderland University, 2015Image: NASA

Image Credits

• https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasacommons/9458193857/in/album-72157650639118181

• http://imgsrc.hubblesite.org/hu/db/images/hs-1999-01-a-large_web.jpg

• http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2013/01/Multi-dome_base_being_constructed

• http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/styles/full_width_feature/public/thumbnails/image/s129e009326.jpg?itok=a3QYMi_h

• https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasacommons/7610985594/in/album-72157634973926806/

• https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasacommons/9457426909/in/album-72157650733490842/

• http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/styles/full_width_feature/public/images/297755main_GPN-2001-000009_full.jpg?itok=qZTIuoYP