O.K., I guess I'm rather dim. Could someone explain to me why a company would need anyone's permission to explore the Moon? Since when did the U.S. government have a propriatary interest in the Moon?

Edited by author 09-11-2002 03:58 AM
Blame Article 6 of the Outer Space Treaty of 1967:

States Parties to the Treaty shall bear international responsibility for national activities in outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, whether such activities are carried on by governmental agencies or by non-governmental entities...

It also says:

Outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means.

...meaning America can never have a Martian state. (Unless we withdraw from the treaty.) Fun stuff.

More people for the kooks to follow around.

Hmm. Correction needed, Cory. The probe itself isn't a lander -- all the data will be acquired by a LLO sattellite. It will chuck a capsule onto the surface, filled with memorabilia, but there won't be any data from it, so calling it a "landing" is pushing it.

It's still cool

Gosh, what president would be foolish enough to pull out of a treaty like that?