- Joined
- Mar 3, 2019
- Messages
- 8,251
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- 5,571
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- SoCal
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- Male
- Political Leaning
- Libertarian
It's no secret that there are many valuable minerals and gases (H3) to be exploited on the Moon and Mars. The first country to establish permanent bases on the Moon and Mars will essentially own them.
There exists an Exploration and Use of Outer Space UN Treaty https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/outerspacetreaty.html, however this treaty is more of a general guideline - there is nothing binding in the Articles.
Article II
Outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means.
Yah, right. until some country has military installations/ or assets in place to defend it, anyways. Then the Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space become null and void.
Should the U.S. push to establish permanent mining bases on the Moon and Mars?
Yes - if Russia or China is the first, they will claim sovereignty.
No - Russia and China will sell mining rights, and the U.S. can afford to pay them.
There exists an Exploration and Use of Outer Space UN Treaty https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/outerspacetreaty.html, however this treaty is more of a general guideline - there is nothing binding in the Articles.
Article II
Outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means.
Yah, right. until some country has military installations/ or assets in place to defend it, anyways. Then the Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space become null and void.
Should the U.S. push to establish permanent mining bases on the Moon and Mars?
Yes - if Russia or China is the first, they will claim sovereignty.
No - Russia and China will sell mining rights, and the U.S. can afford to pay them.