Buy An Acre Of The Moon

[Azathoth]

What about the mining rights?

[Pappa]

What about the mining rights?

Funny thing is, I think those same space treaties ban mining on all the planets in the solar system too.... they won't last long.

[hackenslash]

I own an acre as well.

[Horwood Beer-Master]

I believe that no-one owns the moon. So "selling" it has got to be a scam.

Well, not exactly. There was a treaty in the 70s that stated no state or corporation could claim the moon, but individuals were free to do so. A guy (called "The Big Cheese") claimed all of the moon for himself. Writing to NASA, the Russian space organisaton and a couple of other places, informing them of his claim. None of them replied, which he took as tacit acceptance. So now he sells 1 acre plots of the moon, complete with certification. There are other people doing the same thing now, but The Big Cheese was the first, and you can't fault the logic of his claim. ...

I hearby claim the Sun.

And I'm owed one hell of an energy bill...

[cowiz]

I claim Uranus.

[hackenslash]

Not at all predictable.

[normal]

I claim Uranus.

Do you expect us to bend over for that preposterous claim?

[RuleBritannia]

You can read the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 here.

The only part that I can see could possibly apply to private individuals is Article VI, where it talks about "non-governmental entities".

States Parties to the Treaty shall bear international responsibility for national activities in outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, whether such activities are carried on by governmental agencies or by non-governmental entities, and for assuring that national activities are carried out in conformity with the provisions set forth in the present Treaty. The activities of non-governmental entities in outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, shall require authorization and continuing supervision by the appropriate State Party to the Treaty. When activities are carried on in outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, by an international organization, responsibility for compliance with this Treaty shall be borne both by the international organization and by the States Parties to the Treaty participating in such organization.