Who Owns the Moon, by Professor Christopher Newman

Do you fancy prospecting for rare and precious minerals on the moon one day? Assuming you could get there and actually start prospecting, would it be legal. In this discussion entitled “Who owns the Moon”, Prof Christopher Newman from Northumbria University in Newcastle will look at the legal position in outer space as private companies are seeking investment to mine asteroids and develop a permanent human presence on the Moon.

Despite the formidable technical and engineering challenges facing such ventures, Prof Newman will look at the more prosaic issues regarding the rules and regulations for mining in space. As humanity moves away from low earth orbit, the existing laws governing space activity will come under increasing scrutiny. If space mining and colonization provide the rich resources that they promise, a robust legal framework will be needed. Otherwise the dream of space entrepreneurs could become mired in conflict and litigation.

Christopher J Newman, BA(Hons), PhD is Professor of Space Law and Policy at Northumbria University at Newcastle. He is active in the teaching and research of space law and has published extensively on the legal and ethical underpinnings of space governance.

Christopher graduated from the University of Sussex with a degree in History with English and American Studies. After working in the Metropolitan Police, he studied at Northumbria University for his Postgraduate Diploma in Law (CPE) and his Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice (LPC). He joined the University of Sunderland where he obtained his PhD in Cross-Comparative Public Order Law in 2011, becoming Reader in Law in 2013.

Christopher has made numerous TV and radio appearances in the UK speaking as an expert on space law and policy issues. He has appeared on Sky News at 1 with Adam Boulton, BBC Radio 4 Today, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC World Service TV.

PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR A LINK TO REGISTER FOR THIS ONLINE EVENT.