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[bryant]

A California company has been authorized to make the first private moon landing. I have to admit I'm a bit puzzled by this, since the last time I looked it wasn't illegal to land on the moon. At worst it ought to be necessary to get permits for the launch; why does the U.S. government care where they're going? And how does the rest of the world feel about the U.S. claiming the right to decide who makes Moon landings?

But I digress; I didn't mean this as a rant. I just think it's cool that someone's going.

Comments

[jadasc.livejournal.com]

why does the U.S.government care where they're going?

I'm guessing it's because the Space Race has always been structured like a colonization move -- the moon becoming the 51st state or whatever. It must belong to *somebody*, and we were there last so it's ours. Right?g

[bryant]

De facto, yeah.

Hm. You know, I guess it is illegal to visit the moon without permission. From the 1979 Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies:

Article 14

1. States Parties to this Agreement shall bear international responsibility for national activities on the moon, whether such activities are carried on by governmental agencies or by non- governmental entities, and for assuring that national activities are carried out in conformity with the provisions set forth in this Agreement. States Parties shall ensure that non-governmental entities under their jurisdiction shall engage in activities on the moon only under the authority and continuing supervision of the appropriate State Party.