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Surreal estate: addressing the issue of ‘Immovable Property Rights on the Moon’
Journal
Space Policy
ISSN
0265-9646
Date Issued
2004
Author(s)
Dunk, Frans von der
Back-Impallomeni, E.
Hobe, S.
Ramírez de Arellano, Rosa María
Type
Resource Types::text::journal::journal article
Abstract
At a time when scientific and commercial interest in the Moon is being reinvigorated it is becoming fashionable for ordinary individuals to “buy” plots on the lunar surface, with the “vendors” arguing that an absence of specific prohibition of individual private activity in space makes such action legal. It is therefore time for the legal community to
address this situation by investigating just how legal such activity is—and bringing their findings to the attention of
governments. This can be done through an examination of the relationship between national law and international
space law, of the provisions of international space law—especially Article 2 of the Outer Space Treaty—and by answering any claims to private ownership of immovable property. Aside from the fact that individuals appear to be
being duped, the pursuit of property claims on the Moon could impede future activities aimed at benefiting society.
address this situation by investigating just how legal such activity is—and bringing their findings to the attention of
governments. This can be done through an examination of the relationship between national law and international
space law, of the provisions of international space law—especially Article 2 of the Outer Space Treaty—and by answering any claims to private ownership of immovable property. Aside from the fact that individuals appear to be
being duped, the pursuit of property claims on the Moon could impede future activities aimed at benefiting society.