Exclusive - The FAA: regulating business on the moon
Source: Reuters
The United States government has taken a new, though preliminary, step to encourage commercial development of the moon.
According to documents obtained by Reuters, U.S. companies can stake claims to lunar territory through an existing licensing process for space launches.
The Federal Aviation Administration, in a previously undisclosed late-December letter to Bigelow Aerospace, said the agency intends to leverage the FAAs existing launch licensing authority to encourage private sector investments in space systems by ensuring that commercial activities can be conducted on a non-interference basis.
In other words, experts said, Bigelow could set up one of its proposed inflatable habitats on the moon, and expect to have exclusive rights to that territory - as well as related areas that might be tapped for mining, exploration and other activities.
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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/03/us-usa-moon-business-idUSKBN0L715F20150203
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)I would think there would be some jurisdiction issues come from that decision and would believe the UN to be the place to set up the guidelines.
DetlefK
(16,423 posts)Elmer S. E. Dump
(5,751 posts)lastlib
(23,271 posts)The exploration and use of outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries, irrespective of their degree of economic or scientific development, and shall be the province of all mankind.
Outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, shall be free for exploration and use by all States without discrimination of any kind, on a basis of equality and in accordance with international law, and there shall be free access to all areas of celestial bodies.
There shall be freedom of scientific investigation in outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, and States shall facilitate and encourage international co-operation in such investigation.
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.
Article III
States Parties to the Treaty shall carry on activities in the exploration and use of outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, in accordance with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, in the interest of maintaining international peace and security and promoting international co-operation and understanding.
Seems to be a gray area as to whether commercial exploitation is permitted. Not sure if it falls under "not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation" or not.....
cloudbase
(5,524 posts)The FAA's motto:
We're not happy until you're not happy.
Demeter
(85,373 posts)Go read "The Man Who Sold the Moon".
It's educational.
Orrex
(63,220 posts)Orrex
(63,220 posts)Ichingcarpenter
(36,988 posts)with a McDonalds to serve the troops
Alkene
(752 posts)Lots of cheese, green cheese.
Nye Bevan
(25,406 posts)freebrew
(1,917 posts)the American Airline industry is one of the worst in the modern world.
Before Raygun, there were a lot more airline companies. Flying was fairly reasonable and SAFE.
Ronnie's transportation guy all of a sudden decided to put a cost on people's lives.
Can't have safety at ANY cost, we have to protect the profits.
They really did a bang up job. There's what, 1 airline left? Expensive, invasive and it seems to take at least
12 hours to go anywhere.
YEA! We're number 27!!!!