Buy an Acre on the Moon

Can you buy the Moon? Can you buy an acre on the Moon?

“Nothing could be greater than to own your own crater!”

That little rhyme is used by one of several companies selling acres on the moon. It’s an intriguing idea, buying the moon. And their prices? Out of this world!

Want to buy an acre on the Sea of Tranquility, where Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed? Prices start at only $37.50. That’s like a night out at the movies for two. On a tighter budget? Stake your claim on the Sea of Vapours for a mere $18.95 per acre.

And what do you get when you buy the moon? Try spectacular moonscapes, amazing views of Earth, and full rights to all the water, helium 3 and minerals you can mine.

It almost sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? Well, it is. And no government in the world will recognize your claim if you do. Sorry, but you just can’t go buy an acre on the moon today.

There are two international treaties governing space and extraterrestrial bodies: the Outer Space Treaty and the Moon Treaty. Both agreements cover property rights in outer space in different ways.

The Outer Space Treaty, which has been ratified by 100 countries, states that nations are free to explore outer space, the moon and other celestial bodies in peace but may not make ownership claims to them.

“Outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means,” the treaty reads.

You will note the treaty refers to “national appropriation by claim of sovereignty,” which refers to any claims made by nations. (When the treaty was signed in 1967, national governments were the ones capable of reaching the moon.) The Outer Space Treaty makes no reference to claims made by individuals, corporations or non-profit groups.

Companies have used this loophole as justification to sell acres on the moon. However, most nations have provisions in their real estate and property laws that prohibit people from simply claiming newly found lands; they must demonstrate an “intent to occupy” them. Given the difficulty of doing this at the present time, buying and selling lunar acres are not recognized under any country’s laws. Have you considered how you would occupy your moon property if you did buy an acre on the moon?

The Moon Treaty is even stricter: it prohibits any private ownership in space, and turns jurisdiction of the moon and all celestial bodies over to the international community, which will administer them for the benefit of all humanity.

Only 13 nations have ratified the Moon Treaty, rendering the agreement all but unenforceable. It has not been ratified by the United States, China, Russia, the European Union or other major space power.

Lunar property rights are likely to be a major issue in the decades ahead as both government and private companies eye the moon for exploration and development. There is currently no system in place to adjudicate claims made by nations and private entities that are capable of occupying lunar land.

In addition, the Outer Space and Moon treaties are not an obstacle to any governments that have signed them that want to stake claims on the moon. Any government can withdraw from the treaties by giving one year’s notice.

All that lies in the future. In the meanwhile, don’t waste your money buying worthless acreage on the moon.

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