Do we need new extra-terrestrial laws? The first private spacecraft has landed on the Moon. Now some experts are warning against people using the Moon for whatever they please.
X
Next
Ashes of 70 people and one dog lost in space
Do we need new extra-terrestrial laws? The first private spacecraft has landed on the Moon. Now some experts are warning against people using the Moon for whatever they please.
X
PreviousNext
What's happening?
The staff of Intuitive Machines whooped with joy. The OdysseusThe most cunning of the Greek leaders. The Odyssey, an epic poem about the 10 years he spent trying to return home after the Trojan War, is also attributed to Homer. spacecraft had just touched down on the Moon. And after some nail-biting moments, it was sending signals back to Earth!
Intuitive Machines are the first private company to touch down on the Moon. But they are not the only company with big dreams for space.
Las month another mission ended in failure. A craft called Peregrine, also headed for the Moon, developed a fuel leak. It burned up on its way back to Earth.
On board were the ashesThe ash left after a dead body has been cremated. of at least 70 people and one dog. They had been put on board by two companies who advertise "space burials".
Some experts say this could be the moment to make new lawsRules that everyone must follow. about the Moon. The nearest thing we have is the Outer Space TreatyA formal agreement, usually between two or more countries. , which was written in 1967.
Find out more
It says space must be explored peacefully and no country can claim to own any part of it. But countries do not have to follow it.
One expert warns there could be arguments between people wanting to use the Moon for different things: for example, mining and scientific experiments.
Do we need new extra-terrestrial laws?
Yes! Without the right laws space could become a free-for-all! We need rules to make sure that one country or one company does not take space's resources for themselves.
No! There is plenty of room for everyone in space. And we already have agreements about what you should and should not do. We do not need new laws.
X
Previous
Keywords
Odysseus - The most cunning of the Greek leaders. The Odyssey, an epic poem about the 10 years he spent trying to return home after the Trojan War, is also attributed to Homer.
Ashes - The ash left after a dead body has been cremated.
Laws - Rules that everyone must follow.
Treaty - A formal agreement, usually between two or more countries.
Ashes of 70 people and one dog lost in space
Fuel leak: The Peregrine lander (above) should have landed on the Moon last week. Glossary
Odysseus - The most cunning of the Greek leaders. The Odyssey, an epic poem about the 10 years he spent trying to return home after the Trojan War, is also attributed to Homer.
Ashes - The ash left after a dead body has been cremated.
Laws - Rules that everyone must follow.
Treaty - A formal agreement, usually between two or more countries.