Updating of lunar treaty

Paper number

IAC-06-E6.2.A.01

Author

Dr. Milan Pospisil, Verific, Czech Republic

Year

2006

Abstract

To prevent disruption of terrestrial environment and to make possible further development of humankind is necessary to create clean source of energy. This can be system of the space power satellites, as proposed by Dr. Glaser in the year 1968. But such facility can not be built economically without use of a lunar base and space resources. 

At present are activities on the Moon controlled by the UN Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies,  by the UN Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and other Celestial Bodies, and by the UN Declaration of Legal Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and use of Outer Space. To ensure that the Moon is used but not misused and destroyed the updated lunar treaties are needed.

Moon has some unique characteristics: gravity which keeps objects and people on its surface, but is at the same time small enough to make possible cheap launch in space, raw materials and vacuum, which can be used both for manufacturing processes and for observation of the outer space. To create sustainable development, some limitations of human lunar activities must be designed:

First: Moon must never be used as a deposit site for any type of wastes.

Second: Only the near side of the Moon shall be used for industry. The far side has to be reserved for scientific purposes only. The system of telescopes for wide range of wavelengths (no limitation by the atmosphere, no dispersed light in the sky like at terrestrial observation facilities) will make possible discoveries undreamed of and it will allow to spot dangerous space bodies well in advance of collision.

Third: All industrial activities on the Moon must observe strict rules, prohibition of explosives probably one of them. They could create clouds of small particles of which time of settlement is unknown. Additionally, vibrations caused by explosions could influence scientific activities on the far side.

Fourth: Responsibilities and penalties have to be defined.

Lunar base plans of different nations and/or private companies can be speeded up by energy and environmental concerns significantly. Thus revising of the lunar legislature is as urgent as ever.

Abstract document

IAC-06-E6.2.A.01.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-E6.2.A.01.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.