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…