As NASA plans return missions to the moon, what ethical rules and laws should guide colonization? This video explores whether humanity can colonize the moon without repeating past mistakes of exploration and colonization on Earth. It covers the history of the original space race, current Artemis program plans, space mining debates, and the need to update Cold War-era space laws. Key questions include whether colonization should be slowed to ensure it proceeds ethically and sustainably and what a new treaty governing lunar activity should include.


Ethical Dilemma in Science:
Is there a way to colonize space without conflict?

What should a treaty governing activity on the moon include?
Resident rights?
Scientific research?
Pristine natural environments?
Transit hub for space travel?
Commercial operations?
Defensive military facilities?

0:00 introduction
0:20 Fictional depictions of exploration of the moon
4:33 Billionaires in space
6:05 Original Space Race
8:24 JFK We choose to go to the moon
9:31 Neil Armstrong steps onto the moon’s surface
11:22 Survey results about moon exploration
14:12 Artemis program
15:09 Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket
17:03 Lunar Gateway and Artemis Base camp
19:40 Outer Space Treaty of 1967
23:49 U.S. Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act of 2015
24:39 Bilateral Artemis Accords
30:13 Is there a way to colonize space without conflict?
31:21 Ethical Dilemma in Science

For more information:
A Trip to the Moon (1902). RKO Pictures. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLVChRVfZ74

Moon Landing is still a source of pride (2019) https://www.cbsnews.com/news/moon-landing-is-still-a-source-of-pride-cbs-news-poll/

NASA Artemis project. https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis/

“Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies.” (1067) United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/introouterspacetreaty.html

Artemis Accords: Principles for a Safe, Peaceful, and Prosperous Future. NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis-accords/index.html

Boley A, Byers M. (2020) U.S. policy puts the safe development of space at risk. Science. 370(6513):174-175. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33033208/

Hollingham, R. (2014) How to create a bill of rights for mars colonies. BBC Future. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20140709-why-mars-needs-a-bill-of-rights

Hanlon, M.L.D., Autry, G. (2021) Space law hasn’t been changed since 1967 – but the UN aims to update laws and keep space peaceful. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/space-law-hasnt-been-changed-since-1967-but-the-un-aims-to-update-laws-and-keep-space-peaceful-171351

#mooncolonization
#spaceethics
#spacelaw
#outerspacetreaty
#artemisprogram
#spacemining
#spaceexploration
#spacerace
#nasa
#moonbase