User:Szafraniect1/Legal Status of the Moon

Legal Status of the Moon
The legal status of the moon is that it is owned by everyone, but there are laws put into place in order to keep the moon safe. For example in 1967 the Outer Space Treaty was signed, and made it so no one state could own the moon. It also included rules that made it so no state can go to the moon, carve out a place and claim it as their own. Making it so other countries can enter with their permission or closing it off so they cannot enter at all. Going against where the treaty states outer space is not subject to sovereignty, making it illegal to claim any part of the moon.

The outer space treaty also includes many different laws about space exploration regarding the moon. One law being that all space exploration should be For the benefit of all countries making it illegal for one country to explore the moon and not report it. Leading into another law in the treaty which states that the moon and other celestial bodies should only be used for peaceful purposes. Making it impossible for countries to fight over who owns the moon or who owns any part of it while also holding countries accountable for any damage done to the moon or outer space in general.

The Outer Space Treaty also has laws for military activity and weapons in space. These Laws were first proposed by the in order to keep military activity out of space, and were put into place in 1963 by the U.N. General Assembly. The first example being that the moon cannot be used for any military activity in order to try and keep the moon as peaceful as possible. This includes the testing of any military weapon and also the establishment of any military base. The treaty also bans any country from storing weapons of mass destructions such as nukes. In the attempt to make the moon and space as peaceful as possible. Making the main goal of the Outer Space Treaty to regulate certain activities and prevent competition that could lead to conflict between countries.

After the passing of the Outer Space Treaty four new agreements were passed specifically regarding activities on the moon. The first having to do with the idea that space is free for any country to explore, but there are laws that will hold you liable for any damages caused. Some examples could be damage caused by space craft, the safe return of astronauts after a mission, and the registration of space vehicles. Making space and the moon completely free with only a few strict laws everyone has to follow in order to keep space safe and free from any conflict.