Mining the moon: Regulating the firms planning to sell moon rocks

A number of corporations are planning to mine and promote lunar sources, like rock and water ice. Now the race is on to agree a authorized framework that’s truthful for everybody

By Adam Mann

BILL NELSON, the administrator of NASA, grinned for the cameras as he handed over a cheque to Justin Cyrus, the boss of an organization referred to as Lunar Outpost. The quantity? A mere 10 cents. This second final 12 months was partly a advertising and marketing gimmick. However in its personal unusual means, it was additionally a legitimately vital milestone: it marked the primary time {that a} authorities company – or anybody else for that matter – had signed a deal to purchase pure sources in house.

If all goes to plan, later this 12 months Lunar Outpost will use a rover to scoop up some lunar mud, snap a photograph of it, and formally switch possession of the fabric to NASA. In return, the company can pay an additional price, this time 90 cents to make a spherical greenback.

The sums could also be small, however that is the beginning of a brand new period for humanity, one through which the shopping for and promoting of sources will prolong past our house planet for the primary time. And although Lunar Outpost appears to be like set to be one of many first corporations being profitable on the moon, will probably be rapidly adopted by others. US plans to return individuals to the lunar floor rely closely on partnering with corporations.

There’s simply …