Real world The rules of space today
The Outer Space Treaty, agreed in 1967 and signed by more than a hundred countries, is the foundation of space law. It says space should be explored for the benefit of all countries, that no nation can claim the Moon or other bodies as its territory, and that nuclear weapons may not be placed in space.
In 2020, the United States and other countries began signing the Artemis Accords, a set of principles for peaceful exploration that covers sharing scientific data, helping astronauts in distress, and using resources such as water ice. Dozens of countries have signed, though some major space nations have not.
Possible future How a settlement might govern itself
Day-to-day rules would still be needed: how to share air, water and space, how to make decisions in an emergency, how to resolve disputes. A civic dome would be where residents meet, vote and hold leaders to account, possibly with members joining by video from other settlements or from Earth.
Possible future Questions to solve
- Which country's laws apply in a settlement with people from many countries?
- Who may mine and sell resources?
- How should a settlement balance safety with freedom?
- How can everyone take part, including future generations born there?
Art In this artwork
This illustration shows a grand domed hall with a blue glass dome and wide steps.
Look closer
- Look at the wide steps to the entrance.
- Find the glass dome.
Think about it
- Could technology help more people take part in decisions? Could it shut some out?
- Should anyone be allowed to own land on the Moon?
- What would be the first three rules you would make for a Mars settlement?
Key words
- Treaty
- A formal agreement between countries.
- Governance
- How decisions are made and rules enforced.
- Territory
- Land claimed by a country.
Use it in class
- How does local government work? (Lesson, grades 5-12)
- Design a Mars colony: a student project (Project, grades 5-12)
- What makes a good place to live? Discussion questions (Lesson, grades 5-12)
Sources
The real-world facts on this page are based on these sources:
- United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, "Outer Space Treaty" (1967)
- NASA, "The Artemis Accords" (2020) and list of signatories
