ELON MUSK'S SPACEX WILL 'MAKE ITS OWN LAWS ON MARS'

[left-of-center2012]

SpaceX will not recognise international law on Mars, according to the Terms of Service of its Starlink internet project. Elon Musk’s space company will instead reportedly adhere to a set of “self-governing principles" that will be defined at the time of Martian settlement. Musk revealed plans to create a self-sustaining city on Mars last week, though no timeframe is yet to be put in place for its development.

Any future colony created by SpaceX would likely use constellations of Starlink satellites orbiting the planet to provide internet connection to people and machines on the surface. More than 800 of the internet satellites have already been launched into orbit around Earth, with tens of thousands more planned in the coming years.

Users noted that the terms of service within the app state that Starlink services provided to Earth or Moon will be governed in accordance with the laws of the State of California. Beyond our planet and its satellite, however, the laws and regulations by which it will abide are less clear.

“For services provided on Mars, or in transit to Mars via Starship or other colonisation spacecraft, the parties recognise Mars as a free planet and that no Earth-based government has authority or sovereignty over Martian activities,” the governing law section states. “Accordingly, disputes will be settled through self-governing principles, established in good faith, at the time of Martian settlement.”

Space systems engineer Erwan Beauvois said SpaceX’s position was reminiscent of a declaration put forward by the Earthlight Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to preparing for the expansion of humanity beyond Earth. The Declaration of the Rights and Responsibilities of Humanity in the Universe states that space should be “considered free, by all, for all and to all.”

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/elon-musk-spacex-mars-laws-starlink-b1396023.html

[PSPS]

1. More wackiness from the ranks of untaxed billionaires

[Thekaspervote]

2. that guy is going off the deep end. Head is spinning with power

He best figure out how to either clone himself or how to be cryogenically saved.

Mars will never see human foot prints at least for another millennia or more, and that’s if we can first not kill ourselves off or the earth

[LisaM]

3. Goodness, I dislike that guy.

But if my memory serves me correctly, the Bush administration granted the drilling rights on Mars to Halliburton, so that could pose some problem.

[Sherman A1]

4. I suspect that will not come to pass

[BannonsLiver]

5. He's a real life Bond villain.

[Saboburns]

6. No Republicans on Mars!

That's my motto.

Imagine a world without Republicans.

[Hugin]

8. There won't be any there.

They'd have to wear a mask.

[Blue_playwright]

12. Rofl

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

7. Will they keep his ass up there? nt

[MizLibby]

9. I just want my starlink!!!

1.05 Mbs download sucks in rural WA

[Zoonart]

10. Why didn't I think of that?

Let's send all the Libertarians to Mars.

On edit: I didn't think this through. They won't want to go because they will have to wear masks.

[LiberalFighter]

15. Nobody will force them to wear them.

[Zoonart]

18. LOL

[Initech]

11. What could go wrong there?

[Boogiemack]

13. Good riddance! nt

[lettucebe]

14. Let's worry about it when he actually lands on Mars

Isn't the easiest thing to do. Maybe he can go there and be King? Get him out of our hair

[USALiberal]

16. SpaceX is an amazing company. nt

[LiberalFighter]

17. I wonder how dead bodies will decompose?

Will they need to be buried or can they just leave them laying around and something will take care of it in a few days?

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

19. Probably just leave them on the ground. They'll quickly dessicate, become mummified.

Unless SpaceX has a machine to extract water and nutrients from the dead person. Soylent Green may be a staple on Mars.

Unless Bezos builds an Amazon distribution hub on Phobos. Then the colonists can get two-day Amazon Prime delivery.

[struggle4progress]

20. "Join the crash-and-burn suicide mission to my libertarian paradise on Mars! Once on Mars,

you can enjoy all the many benefits of cosmic rays, unattenuated by much atmosphere! And because there is little atmosphere, the economy will grow without the hindrances of clear air regulations. There is also very little water, so we won't need clean water regulations either: you will just go to the nearest convenience store to buy bottled water! Tired of wearing a mask? Those pesky public health folk can't make you wear one on Mars!"