Could privatising the moon be the next human space venture?

First because The United Nations placed a ban on countries and individuals from owning property in space way back in 1967, when The Outer Space Treaty was drawn up.

These protective measures regarding ownership of land on the moon and other celestial bodies were put in place as a result of the serious consequences that came from the rapid and unrestricted privatisation of our own planet.

Those who could afford to buy large pieces of land have acquired property rights to many areas, causing increases in poverty and inequality. Not to mention, the private ownership of land has led contributed massively to the current resource and climate crises.

Secondly – and I’m sure you could’ve seen this one coming – giving countries ownership of areas on the moon would be likely to benefit some more than others, worsening already existing inequalities between nations and individuals.

Already, this suggestion to take over the moon has been met with criticism online. Many believe this could be yet another scheme for the super-rich to avoid taxes or exercise their power and control beyond the boundaries of planet Earth.

And as if we didn’t have enough problems with resource sharing already, former US President Donald Trump has previously said that the United States ‘does not view [outer space] as a global commons.’

From this statement alone, it’s easy to imagine how setting up shop on the moon could present another massive opportunity for world leaders to start feuding with one another while corporations continue hoarding assets and wealth.

That said, it doesn’t look like moon-based businesses will be booming anytime soon. The UN would have to retract its protective measures on space, and why would they?

They’ve got enough to deal with on our own planet.