If Nasa are going to build a base on the moon...?

Question

and they build on land already owned by people (you can apparently buy an acre on the moon off the web) - will they have to pay rent?

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/05122006/140/nasa-planning-permanent-moon-base.html

buyng a plot on the moon.....http://uk.news.yahoo.com/05122006/140/nasa-planning-permanent-moon-base.html

Answer 1

No one can own land on the moon. The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 is pretty clear on that. Yes, it appears to allow people to own parts of the moon, but if no government has jurisdiction, who would you register your claim with?

To Silberstein_9: The word "base" describes any kind of base, not just a military base. The proposed moon base is a research facility.

Answer 2

Here's what the "lunar embassy" says about owning land on the moon:
http://www.lunarlandowner.com/space_law_faq.htm#4

Here's the rub, though: Under most systems' property laws, you can't just "stake a claim" to property you've never been on and claim it's yours--you have to have a grant from the sovereign that has rights over that property. For example, in a title search on clean title, you'll see rights in America that go back to purchases from Native Americans, grants from the King of England, or rights given from the government to Homesteaders in land received in the Louisiana Purchase. The key is that some sovereign that's recognized (hopefully) internationally has to grant you that land.

Here, the treaties specifically say that no governmental body can claim any part of the moon (to prevent literally a space war in the 60s and 70s for claims to the moon probably by the Russians and Americans). The "Moon Embassy" claims that because the treaty does not include individuals and corporations, anyone can stake their claim.
This guy attempted to do so by registering a land with the U.S. Government Office of Claim Registries. Of course, that would only register a claim for land that the U.S. Government had jurisdiction over! Further, he "copyrighted" "his work" (I have no idea what that means, because you can only copyright expression, not ideas. Which means that his "deeds" are copyrighted, but the content of the deed has no special protection, and probably no protection outside the United States).

The story might be different if a private enterprise actually went to the moon and took possession of a piece of land (and successfully kept people off). But you can't just say "ooh look at that, I own that" and expect to have your rights enforced.

Their ownership claims are clearly bunk. I don't think NASA is too worried. :)

Answer 3

Its easily the right theory the logical next step. i have idea for awhile this can be an outstanding theory. notwithstanding my theory features a spaceport which skill an area to launch missions to mars and the picture voltaic gadget from the moon, because the moon has a lot less gravity its worry-free to launch from. no longer particular if the nasa plans contain this.

Answer 4

Outer space is an international land. Everyone can build anywhere. No one has to pay rent just like in Antarctica. So how give them authority over the moon land? They weren't even there. The paper is worthless.

Answer 5

Nasa can build a base on the moon on any land that is not
currently occupied....
In other words, anywhere they choose...
No one currently has any rights to any land on the moon..

Answer 6

Hmm,
I have a thing that says I have one square metre of our moons' surface.
I hear that they are planning to put the thing near the poles, which is nowhere near my place.
If the put as much as a landing leg on my bit, I shall charge NASA ground rent of say $100 per day.
I very much doubt if this will come to pass, but there you go.
Bob.

Answer 7

If you don't pay rent, you can get sued.
But there is no court with jurisdiction over the moon so it is pretty safe not to pay rent.
(Assuming the ownership of a piece of the moon is indeed legally sound.)

Answer 8

I know you can buy an acre of the moon or whatever...but who gave NASA get the right to sell the moon? It technically doesnt belong to anybody!!

Answer 9

For what reason should they build a base in the moon? Fight against who? Defence against who? Too expensive, I think. I cannot image a WAR in the moon - it's much cheaper in some poor country of our globe...

Answer 10

I think you`ll find the true owners of the moon are the Clangers. Who`s going to pay their compensation?