Nobody can claim legal rights on the moon - they have no government setup yet.
There's actual real science value to doing some of this--not just historical. By precisely locating the sample return sites, they can calibrate the samples to what is in the surrounding area.
Its also contrary to the Outer Space Treaty, to which the US and Russia (via the USSR) are ratified signatories.
Quote from: sbt on 03/20/2010 09:06 pmIts also contrary to the Outer Space Treaty, to which the US and Russia (via the USSR) are ratified signatories.As I understand it, while the Outer Space Treaty precludes governments from making claims of sovereignty over celestial bodies, it does not necessarily prevent private individuals from such claims.
Quote from: collectSPACE on 03/21/2010 03:14 amQuote from: sbt on 03/20/2010 09:06 pmIts also contrary to the Outer Space Treaty, to which the US and Russia (via the USSR) are ratified signatories.As I understand it, while the Outer Space Treaty precludes governments from making claims of sovereignty over celestial bodies, it does not necessarily prevent private individuals from such claims.As a citizen of the United States you are not allowed to violate treaties that your government has signed.
This is exactly the crux of my question. The US signed a treaty precluding governments from making extraterrestrial claims. Does it apply to individuals. If Garriott is granted his "homesteading" claim it could make for an interesting future as individuals/corporations seek new opportunities.
Quote from: sbt on 03/20/2010 09:06 pmIts also contrary to the Outer Space Treaty, to which the US and Russia (via the USSR) are ratified signatories.As I understand it, while the Outer Space Treaty precludes governments from making claims of sovereignty over celestial bodies, it does not necessarily prevent private individuals from such claims.Even without a lunar government in place, it could be argued that a basic tenant for claiming property rights has been met-- demonstrating use: at the very least, Richard Garriott is using the land beneath his rover as a parking spot.
As a citizen of the United States you are not allowed to violate treaties that your government has signed.
Quote from: Blackstar on 03/21/2010 11:27 amAs a citizen of the United States you are not allowed to violate treaties that your government has signed.True, but that assumes that the treaty outright precludes private claims. The treaty, as written, specifically addresses government claims of sovereignty while distinguishing them from non-governmental entities.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.Based on what I have read, the U.S., as the appropriate State Party to the Treaty, could authorize Richard Garriott, for example, as a non-governmental entity to claim property without violating the treaty.
Based on what I have read, the US could not authorize a US citizen to do so because that would amount to a de facto claim of sovereignty over the land in question.
Quote from: Jorge on 03/21/2010 05:17 pmBased on what I have read, the US could not authorize a US citizen to do so because that would amount to a de facto claim of sovereignty over the land in question.I think what's clear is that the Outer Space Treaty alone doesn't set the parameters definitively enough to answer this question and therefore additional treaties/legislation will be needed before any claims are uniformly dismissed or accepted.