In 1979 the United Nations adopted resolution 34/68.
According to the United Nations Office For Outer Space Affairs:
"The Agreement reaffirms and elaborates on many of the provisions of the Outer Space Treaty as applied to the Moon and other celestial bodies, providing that those bodies should be used exclusively for peaceful purposes, that their environments should not be disrupted, that the United Nations should be informed of the location and purpose of any station established on those bodies. In addition, the Agreement provides that the Moon and its natural resources are the common heritage of mankind and that an international regime should be established to govern th exploitation of such resources when such exploitation is about to become feasible."
"The common heritage of mankind" pretty much defines ownership.
For what its worth Antarctica has a similar status.
I think China will be the next country to send astronauts to the moon.
Can't really see Russia doing it alone.
China has the money and the will.
I'm guessing any area they build on would be considered Chinese territory, UN charter or not.
Just like what's happening in Antarctica.
For the rest of the world it would take a combined effort ie: if NASA, the ESA, the JSA, AND Russia pulled their strength together, they could do it.
India likes to think they are a player, but I believe that's just wishful thinking.
No,just the areas they colonize. Like here on Earth. I'm not sure it means much,especially when we begin colonizng Mars,which is about a thousand times further away. At some point the vast distances will cause colonists to pay less and less attention to the country that established them and more attention to their own interests.It will be history repeating itself. Colonies will become self sufficient and eventually break away and ask for independence. I have been anticipating the exploitation of our Solar system for decades now. Before we can even think about reaching for the stars we have to settle our own neighborhood.
Apparently, it can. And it looks like it's going to go to those countries who are shelling out the most money. There's already like 5 countries in line for this kind of crap.
Yes humans will own the moon
Good question but now days a squatter could move in for nothing and pay property tax and they will own it.
No, by treaty.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_Treaty
YOU WATCH TOO MANY MOVIES
Russia, China plans to build a permanent base on the moon by 2020. Can a country colonize the moon, and claim ownership?
