Who really owns the Moon? Experts answer
The article examines the legal status of the Moon amid a new phase of its exploration. Experts explain that according to the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, the Moon does not belong to any state and is the "province of all mankind." However, the treaty does not regulate resource extraction, creating legal uncertainty. The US, Luxembourg, the UAE, and Japan have passed laws allowing ownership of extracted resources. The 2020 Artemis Accords, joined by 68 countries, provide for "safety zones," which has drawn criticism.
The article examines the legal status of the Moon amid a new phase of its exploration. Experts explain that according to the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, the Moon does not belong to any state and is the "province of all mankind." However, the treaty does not regulate resource extraction, creating legal uncertainty. The US, Luxembourg, the UAE, and Japan have passed laws allowing ownership of extracted resources. The 2020 Artemis Accords, joined by 68 countries, provide for "safety zones," which has drawn criticism. The article is based on material from BBC Sky at Night Magazine.