Space Education and Strategic Applications Journal
space governance matters . However , the nations of the world have proved unanimous support of the protection of human heritage . And there is no heritage more universal than lunar landing sites on the Moon , which represent both a milestone in human evolution and development as well as the culmination of the work of humans throughout the world and throughout history . The human relationship to space is necessarily global and universal . “ The famous Earthrise image , taken by astronaut William Anders in 1968 during the Apollo 8 mission , was perhaps the most influential environmental photo ever and has taught us humility as we understand our very precious space in our solar system .” 85 More than 600 million people “ tuned into watch or listen to the Apollo 11 lunar landing .” 86 Few would argue that the site where humans first set foot on another celestial body should be recognized and protected less than any site on Earth .
With this in mind , rather than embark upon the development of an entirely new legal regime to govern space resource utilization and flesh out the specifics of due regard , the international community , through the COPUOS should initiate the important process by reaching agreement on how to protect humanity ’ s greatest treasures in space . Starting with humanity ’ s firsts on the Moon — Luna 2 , first hard land- ing , Luna 9 , first soft landing , Apollo 11 , first crewed landing — the international community can consider each level of deference to be given to certain objects and sites . The COPUOS should solicit expert testimony from geologists and engineers who can describe the effects and trajectory of the plume effect . Then taking the science into consideration , agree to the establishment of safety zones , barring access to any of these sites until humans have the technology to approach them without destroying them . And , given the strong ownership structure of Article VIII of the Outer Space Treaty , any approach must be with the approval of the State that retains the ownership of the objects . These parameters will serve as the baseline , the most severe and rigorous protections any site on the Moon can enjoy . It is an ideal starting point to : 1 ) make the international community comfortable with the concept of safety zones ; and 2 ) build the scientific understanding and knowledge necessary to combat both foreseen ( intentional intrusion ) and unforeseen ( plume effect ) hazards to objects on the Moon .
Beyond these three firsts , there will no doubt , be required debate over the status of other sites and objects . But these can be addressed in a manner similar to the process adopted by the World Heritage Convention . As a matter of first instance , the COPUOS
85 M . Ann Garrison Darrin , The Impact of the Space Environment on Material Remains , in Archaeology and Heritage of the Human Movement into Space 13 , 27 ( Beth Laura O ’ Leary & P . J . Capelotti , eds ., 2015 ).
86 J . Reynolds , Legal Implications of Protecting Historic Sites in Space , in Archaeology and Heritage of the Human Movement into Space 13 , 27 ( Beth Laura O ’ Leary & P . J . Capelotti , eds ., 2015 ).
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