Protection of Cultural Heritage Sites on the Moon (Studies in Space Policy Book 24)

"This book provides an extensive overview of the protection of cultural heritages sites on the Moon (humanitys lunar heritage) and the various threats they face. First of all, the international legal framework, especially the relevant space treaties are analyzed in terms of how they protect cultural heritages sites on the Moon. In turn, the book explores key aspects like the application of customary law, the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, or the Underwater Convention, and the possibility of adding these sites to UNESCOs World Heritage list. The book subsequently addresses the question of how to define culture heritage sites or artifacts, in particular in view of the "Outstanding Universal Value" criterion, which is a vital aspect in order to differentiate them from space garbage or even space threats. Lastly, the book proposes and elaborates on various protection systems and multilateral protection regulations. Especially now, 50 years after the first human landing on the Moon, the book is a timely publication that will be of interest to all scholars and professionals working in the space field."--Back cover Preface Contents 1 The Legal Framework Protecting Cultural Heritage Sites on the Moon and In Situ Preservation 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Space Archaeology 1.3 Legal Framework 1.3.1 The World Heritage Convention 1.3.2 The Underwater Heritage Convention 1.3.3 International Law Governing Outer Space 1.4 NASA Recommendations to Space-Faring Entities 1.5 In Situ Preservation 1.6 Conclusions 2 Could the Moon’s Cultural Heritage Be Inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List? 2.1 Does the Tranquility Base Correspond to UNESCO’s Conception of Cultural Heritage? 2.1.1 Determination of the Nature of Moon’s Heritage 2.1.2 Reflection About Tranquility Base Outstanding Universal Value 2.2 Can Tranquility Base Candidacy Be Duly Submitted by One State Party? 2.2.1 The Impasse of National Ownership 2.2.2 The Hope Around the Notions of Jurisdiction and Control 2.3 What Other Options Could Be Devised to Protect the Tranquility Base? 2.3.1 The Example of Underwater Heritage: Learning from Other Global Commons Regime 2.3.2 From Content to Format: A Question of Adhesion 3 Does the Outer Space Treaty Permit the Protection and Preservation of Cultural Heritage Sites on the Moon? 3.1 Introduction 3.2 The Right to Protect and Preserve Cultural Heritage Sites on the Moon in the Outer Space Treaty 3.2.1 Freedom of Exploration and Use 3.2.2 Use for the Benefit and Interest of All Countries 3.2.3 Freedom of Access and Prohibition of Appropriation 3.3 Final Remark 4 One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space Act as One Small Step Towards U.S. Space Dominance? The Case for a Multilateral Treaty Protection Regime 4.1 Introduction 4.2 One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space Act 4.2.1 Content of the Bill 4.2.2 Rationale Behind the One Small Step Act 4.2.3 U.S. Leadership in Space: Space Dominance Policy 4.3 Consequences on International Space Law: Undermining Without Violation? 4.3.1 Freedom of Use 4.3.2 No Appropriation 4.3.3 Equality 4.4 Conclusion: Protecting Space Law, the Case for a U.N. Based Space Heritage Treaty? 5 The ‘Outstanding Universal Value’ Concept of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention: Food for Thought to Preserve Lunar Artifacts 5.1 Introduction 5.2 The Concept of ‘Outstanding Universal Value’ and Its Potential Application in Outer Space 5.3 Legal Scenarios to Protect OUV Sites in Outer Space 5.4 Monitoring the State of Conservation of OUV in Outer Space 5.5 Concluding Observations 6 Necessity of Special Regulation for Protection of Cultural Heritage Sites on the Moon 6.1 General Remarks on Applicability of Cultural Heritage Law to Space 6.2 Legal Regulation for Protection of Cultural Heritage Sites on the Moon 6.2.1 Preservation of Works of Man as Cultural Heritage Site on the Moon 6.2.2 Preservation of Areas as Cultural Heritage Site on the Moon 6.3 Ways Forwards 7 How to Preserve Humanity’s Lunar Heritage 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Defining What Needs Protection 7.2.1 Sites and Objects on the Moon 7.2.2 Deciding Which Sites Form Cultural Heritage 7.3 Difficulties of Attributing the Heritage Status to the Lunar Sites 7.3.1 Impossibility Under Current Legislation 7.3.2 Danger of Political Appropriation 7.3.3 Necessity for a Rapid Solution 7.4 Efforts Made up to Now 7.4.1 NASA’s Recommendations to Space-Faring Entities 7.4.2 Apollo Lunar Landing Legacy Act 7.4.3 One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space Act 7.5 Possible Solutions 7.5.1 A New UN Treaty 7.5.2 A Bilateral or Multilateral International Agreement 7.5.3 Creation of an International Body 7.6 Conclusion 8 Protection of Lunar Heritage Sites: A Customary Law Perspective 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Cultural Heritage Protection Under Space Treaties 8.3 The Existence of a Custom? 8.3.1 Province of All Mankind Versus Common Heritage of Mankind 8.4 Applicability of the World Heritage Convention to Sites on the Moon 8.5 Existence of a Custom for the Protection of Cultural Heritage on the Earth 8.6 Conclusion: The Way Forward 9 Lunar Seismic Experiments: A Legacy Which Deserves to Be Remembered 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Seismology–A Brief Introduction 9.2.1 Seismic Instruments 9.3 Lunar Seismology Missions 9.3.1 Ranger 3 9.3.2 Ranger 4 9.3.3 Ranger 5 9.3.4 Apollo 11 9.3.5 Apollo 12 9.3.6 Apollo 13 9.3.7 Apollo 14 9.3.8 Apollo 15 9.3.9 Apollo 16 9.3.10 Apollo 17 9.4 The Importance of the Lunar Seismic Experiments 9.5 Conclusion 10 The Moon that Owns Itself: Exploring New Legal Avenues to Protect Cultural and Natural Heritage in Space 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Human Activities on the Moon 10.3 Literature Review 10.4 International Space Law and the Protection of Cultural Heritage Sites on the Moon 10.5 The World Heritage Convention 10.6 Lessons from the Tree that Owns Itself 10.7 Conclusion 11 The Protection of Cultural Heritage Sites on the Moon: The Poo Bags Paradox 11.1 Introduction 11.1.1 From Human Waste to Cultural Heritage or How a Poo Bag Becomes a Cultural Heritage Protected Under Public International Law 11.1.2 From Cultural Heritage to Interplanetary Threat: The Poo Bag Paradox