Lunar government
Encyclopedia
The idea of a lunar
government is based on established theories of a world government
on Earth
. With existing plans for lunar bases present in European
, American
, Russian, Japanese, Chinese and Indian mid- to long-term space goals, the prospects of having a sizable lunar research community
on both the relatively flat near side and the Radio
-sheltered far side is a less distant prospect.
was drafted by the United Nations
which prohibits military action on (Article 3) and ownership of the moon by signatory states, their corporations or citizens (Article 11). Non-signatory UN-member states are free to accede to it at any time. Non-UN-member states appear unbound by the treaty, but affected by the custom
s the treaty represents.
in Antarctica could serve as a future model for the moon, where existing Earth-based nations claim areas of the moon which encompass their research stations, though such nations would have to withdraw from the Moon Treaty beforehand. The Antarctic Treaty of 1959, signed by all nations who have claims on or bases within Antarctica, neither recognises nor denies extant claims, but precludes other nations from making any further such claims.
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
government is based on established theories of a world government
World government
World government is the notion of a single common political authority for all of humanity. Its modern conception is rooted in European history, particularly in the philosophy of ancient Greece, in the political formation of the Roman Empire, and in the subsequent struggle between secular authority,...
on Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
. With existing plans for lunar bases present in European
European Space Agency
The European Space Agency , established in 1975, is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to the exploration of space, currently with 18 member states...
, American
Vision for Space Exploration
The Vision for Space Exploration is the United States space policy which was announced on January 14, 2004 by President George W. Bush. It is seen as a response to the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, the state of human spaceflight at NASA, and a way to regain public enthusiasm for space...
, Russian, Japanese, Chinese and Indian mid- to long-term space goals, the prospects of having a sizable lunar research community
Colonization of the Moon
The colonization of the Moon is the proposed establishment of permanent human communities on the Moon. Advocates of space exploration have seen settlement of the Moon as a logical step in the expansion of humanity beyond the Earth. Recent indication that water might be present in noteworthy...
on both the relatively flat near side and the Radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
-sheltered far side is a less distant prospect.
Existing regulations
In 1979 a Moon TreatyMoon Treaty
The Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, better known as the Moon Treaty or Moon Agreement, is an international treaty that turns jurisdiction of all celestial bodies over to the international community...
was drafted by the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
which prohibits military action on (Article 3) and ownership of the moon by signatory states, their corporations or citizens (Article 11). Non-signatory UN-member states are free to accede to it at any time. Non-UN-member states appear unbound by the treaty, but affected by the custom
Custom (law)
Custom in law is the established pattern of behavior that can be objectively verified within a particular social setting. A claim can be carried out in defense of "what has always been done and accepted by law." Customary law exists where:...
s the treaty represents.
Analogies to Antarctica
The current division of landsAntarctic Treaty System
The Antarctic Treaty and related agreements, collectively called the Antarctic Treaty System or ATS, regulate international relations with respect to Antarctica, Earth's only continent without a native human population. For the purposes of the treaty system, Antarctica is defined as all of the land...
in Antarctica could serve as a future model for the moon, where existing Earth-based nations claim areas of the moon which encompass their research stations, though such nations would have to withdraw from the Moon Treaty beforehand. The Antarctic Treaty of 1959, signed by all nations who have claims on or bases within Antarctica, neither recognises nor denies extant claims, but precludes other nations from making any further such claims.