Friday / 25 May 2001

It's Time to Occupy the Moon. An editorial published in the AAS May/June issue of Space Times magazine edited by Roger D. Launius describes the possibility for a permanent human settlement on the Moon within the next few years. The essay is excerpted from the forthcoming book Imagining Space: Achievements, Predictions, Possibilities, 1950-2050 by Launius and Howard E. McCurdy. "It is no longer hard to get (to the Moon)," write Launius and McCurdy, "all the technology needed to land and return is known. Such a return would require a modest investment, but the results may be astounding." Launius and McCurdy see the accessibility of the Moon as one of its greatest advantages. "The Moon lies only 3 days travel time from Earth, as opposed to a 3-year commitment required for a round trip voyage to Mars," they write. The authors go on to outline the uses of a human lunar settlement which include serving as a test bed for exploration further out, and furthering astronomical research with a lunar observatory. But perhaps most importantly, "An international lunar base may help people on Earth live together in greater harmony" and "expand the tradition of international cooperation established on the ISS," they say.

"Common Law and Asteroid Claims:" Greg Nemitz Presentation at ISDC Today. OrbDev President Greg Nemitz addresses the issue of space property rights at the International Space Development Conference held at the Hilton Hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Nemitz poses the question: "Are we sure that there is not sufficient law in the United States for its people to proclaim original property in space and gain official respect for a person's right to own it?" He will use his claim on Asteroid 433 Eros as a springboard to examine the issues. "Things in space are just that, things," says Nemitz, "there is no property until someone makes an original claim." Since the actual physical posession of space objects is so difficult, "it is reasonable to look at what creates original property in the lesser-known parts of the law," says Nemitz. Nemitz will explain valid methods for establishing ownership such as pursuit of posession and work-equity appropriation, as he outlines how an unowned thing's status progresses from first claim to legally recognized posession. The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 and the Moon Treaty of 1979 will also be covered, as will the relevance of the 9th and 10th amendments.

The 20th International Space Development Conference Is in Session. The annual conference of the National Space Society (NSS) started yesterday in Albuquerque NM. This event draws speakers from the USA, Japan, Russia, the UK, Canada, Germany, Iran, France, the Netherlands, Australia, and Malaysia. Apollo 17 astronaut Harrison Schmitt, Honorary Chairman of the conference, will speak at the "Progression of Manned Spaceflight" banquet and will also chair a technical session on Helium-3 on Sunday. Moonwalker Buzz Aldrin, member of the NSS Board of Governors, will speak at the "Space Tourism" luncheon on Saturday, May 26. NSS Roadmap Brainstorming Session chaired by Francis Govers of Silicon Graphics will take place today from 3:30-5:30 pm. Today's program also includes a NSS Foundry Organizing Session chaired by Greg Allison, Vice President of NSS Chapters, and a Moon Rock Certification Class instructed by Dr. James E. Pratt, an aerospace education specialist from Johnson Space Center. The conference will conclude on Monday, 28 May with a program on "Beyond the Moon and Mars (Ad Astra)." For more information visit www.isdc2001.org/summary.htm.