Offworld real estate (was Ethicists Tell NASA...)

On Apr 10, 2014, at 5:40 PM, wrote:

> I'll look into comsats, but right now I don't expect that parking a satellite in orbit and digging up part of the Moon can use the same model. Then again, I've been wrong before.
>

Actually, the comsat case requires more legal framework because in some parts of GEO it is a scarce resource. By contrast, acrage on the Moon is not a scarce resource at all.

BTW: in the non-interference regime, once you stop your mining operation others a free to move in. Thats one big difference from ownership. You cant just own a bunch of the Moon, do nothing, and make money off people who are doing some mining. There has been a problem with this and comsats countries claiming slots, submitting plans, and never building anything. The powers-that-be have cracked down on this practice, as well they should, since the practice leaves orbital slots empty and unproductive.

>

sailorbarsoom@...
> <
sailorbarsoom@...
> wrote:
I'll look into comsats, but right now I don't expect that parking a satellite in orbit and digging up part of the Moon can use the same model. Then again, I've been wrong before.
Actually, the comsat case requires more legal framework because in some parts of GEO it is a scarce resource. By contrast, acrage on the Moon is not a scarce resource at all.
BTW: in the non-interference regime, once you stop your mining operation others a free to move in. Thats one big difference from ownership. You cant just own a bunch of the Moon, do nothing, and make money off people who are doing some mining. There has been a problem with this and comsats countries claiming slots, submitting plans, and never building anything. The powers-that-be have cracked down on this practice, as well they should, since the practice leaves orbital slots empty and unproductive.