In 1969, as Neil Armstrong became the first human to step onto the moon, according to Wikiquote, he proclaimed, “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.” Thousands of children around the United States immediately knew what they would be when they grew up: an astronaut. There is a reason why the idea of going to space instantly captivated these children. Outer space entices human curiosity. Curiosity and the desire for knowledge and understanding is what sets humans apart from other species. The same curiosity that drove scientists like Marie Curie and Albert Einstein drives many to dream of space exploration. However, not all people share this intense desire for knowledge and inquiry, and that is not the only concern
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Currently, there exists several laws regarding space exploration, but one international law appears especially prominent, the Outer Space Treaty. According to Konstantin Kakaes of CQ Global Researcher, the Outer Space Treaty outlaws the placement of weapons of mass destruction in outer space and prohibits any government from claiming any celestial body or resource (405). The terms of this treaty prevent any colonization in its historical sense; however, it does allow for space exploration in general, so it would not restrict any scientific expeditions. This is not the only legislation in place regarding space exploration. The Space Liability Convention could also impede space exploration. According to the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs in the Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects, any country whose space expeditions or technology cause damage to another country or their space investments must pay for the damage; this includes anything launched from a given nation’s territory, and therefore it applies also to businesses. This prevents any reckless undertakings in space and forces nations to make sure their technology is both safe and effective, for better or for worse. With such legislation in place, it is evident that governments suspect that space exploration will be significant in the coming years, which also forces all people to question whether or not people should actually explore
Currently, there exists several laws regarding space exploration, but one international law appears especially prominent, the Outer Space Treaty. According to Konstantin Kakaes of CQ Global Researcher, the Outer Space Treaty outlaws the placement of weapons of mass destruction in outer space and prohibits any government from claiming any celestial body or resource (405). The terms of this treaty prevent any colonization in its historical sense; however, it does allow for space exploration in general, so it would not restrict any scientific expeditions. This is not the only legislation in place regarding space exploration. The Space Liability Convention could also impede space exploration. According to the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs in the Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects, any country whose space expeditions or technology cause damage to another country or their space investments must pay for the damage; this includes anything launched from a given nation’s territory, and therefore it applies also to businesses. This prevents any reckless undertakings in space and forces nations to make sure their technology is both safe and effective, for better or for worse. With such legislation in place, it is evident that governments suspect that space exploration will be significant in the coming years, which also forces all people to question whether or not people should actually explore