Scott Pace gave an important speech that is sure to upset many in the international space community at the Galloway Symposium a couple weeks ago. Laura Montgomery comments.
Speaking of Henry Hertzfeld, every time I see him, for over a couple decades now, we argue about the viability of reducing the cost of launch through reusability of rockets. I wonder what he’s thinking these days?
A step in the right direction, but there is no , of course, about being bound by the OST. Start with a false foundation and you can build any false structure you like. Marxism being a perfect example.
As Musk describes, question assumptions. I question the value of private property and always come to the same conclusion… It isn’t appreciated enough. Over the years, ownership has eroded from its original definition.
Chain of title is enforceable proof of ownership. That chain always begins with a claim. The nature of that claim is something we need to agree upon. I say possession is the historical precedent. Either to oneself or acting as an agent for another. If we follow the OST then those claims are forbidden to sovereign owners. They can however legally recognize the claims of non government owners (as long as they don’t show a preference to their own citizens exclusively.)
The simplest solution is to auction off plots to any person on earth with no preferences. Since the money doesn’t belong (and should not) to anybody it should be exclusively used to pay colonist transportation costs as a means of developing the property. Those colonists have no need to be related to the purchasers of property and should be selected (after meeting a minimum criteria) on a random basis.
A title agency can maintain records both on earth and on the body itself. The transportation should specify alive to the surface with one ton of personal property (which potentially represent a great starting wealth.) Mundane supplies would then be purchased from existing colonists (mostly by barter although precious metals would be the regular currency.)
Intermixing nationals of many countries would eliminate any nations. Townships would make their own laws. People could still vote with their feet (especially with the really low initial land values.)