The Moon
Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2022 5:12 pm
A general thread for news and discussions regarding Earth's nearest neighbour.
----------
New report argues for ownership of the Moon
16th February 2022
The Adam Smith Institute (ASI), a neoliberal think tank based in London, UK, has published a new report on property rights in space. It suggests dividing the Moon into regions and privatising it, which the institute believes could help end global poverty.
Space Invaders: Property Rights on the Moon, by economic consultant Rebecca Lowe, argues that creating a clear system of property rights in space could empower all of humanity with a greater stake in space exploration, as well as accelerating scientific discovery.
The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 – of which 111 countries are party to, including all major spacefaring powers – states that space is the "province of all mankind" and shall be freely explored and used by all nations. It precludes any country from claiming sovereignty over outer space or any celestial body, regardless of what national flags are planted on its surface.
However, the ASI believes this way of thinking has become outdated and is holding back humanity's potential. Recent advances in space travel and commercialisation from the likes of SpaceX, Blue Origin, and other companies have opened up the possibility of Moon settlement in the relatively near future and the time has therefore come for a fresh approach to space resource utilisation, the institute says.
Lowe's paper sets out a framework for individuals to gain morally-justified property rights in space, with a particular focus on plots of Moon land. Under the proposed system, individuals would compete against each other for plots of land on the Moon (that have most likely been initially acquired by, or assigned to, particular nations). This competition would involve paying 'rent' for such plots – the area and cost of which would be determined by supply and demand. A rebate could be given for improving the condition of land or providing for urgent human needs. Governance would currently depend on international agreement.
Read more: https://www.futuretimeline.net/blog/202 ... e-moon.htm
----------
New report argues for ownership of the Moon
16th February 2022
The Adam Smith Institute (ASI), a neoliberal think tank based in London, UK, has published a new report on property rights in space. It suggests dividing the Moon into regions and privatising it, which the institute believes could help end global poverty.
Space Invaders: Property Rights on the Moon, by economic consultant Rebecca Lowe, argues that creating a clear system of property rights in space could empower all of humanity with a greater stake in space exploration, as well as accelerating scientific discovery.
The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 – of which 111 countries are party to, including all major spacefaring powers – states that space is the "province of all mankind" and shall be freely explored and used by all nations. It precludes any country from claiming sovereignty over outer space or any celestial body, regardless of what national flags are planted on its surface.
However, the ASI believes this way of thinking has become outdated and is holding back humanity's potential. Recent advances in space travel and commercialisation from the likes of SpaceX, Blue Origin, and other companies have opened up the possibility of Moon settlement in the relatively near future and the time has therefore come for a fresh approach to space resource utilisation, the institute says.
Lowe's paper sets out a framework for individuals to gain morally-justified property rights in space, with a particular focus on plots of Moon land. Under the proposed system, individuals would compete against each other for plots of land on the Moon (that have most likely been initially acquired by, or assigned to, particular nations). This competition would involve paying 'rent' for such plots – the area and cost of which would be determined by supply and demand. A rebate could be given for improving the condition of land or providing for urgent human needs. Governance would currently depend on international agreement.
Read more: https://www.futuretimeline.net/blog/202 ... e-moon.htm