European scientists to make first private moon landing in 2018

European scientists to make first private moon landing in 2018

They are going to use Musk's rocket (Falcon 9) and land a couple of rovers.

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The first private Moon landing could be made by a group of European scientists next year.

A group of rocket engineers called PTScientists (Part-time Scientists), has built a landing module and two rovers, which are expected to launch in 2018 on board Elon Musk’s SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.


The landing module will be programmed to touch down in the Taurus-Littrow valley, around two miles from the site of the final Apollo 17 mission.

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This might be a dumb question but does anybody know if the moon belongs to the USA since we were the first there and planted our flag?

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Originally Posted by jimmyz

This might be a dumb question but does anybody know if the moon belongs to the USA since we were the first there and planted our flag?

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTduy7Qkvk8

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Originally Posted by jimmyz

This might be a dumb question but does anybody know if the moon belongs to the USA since we were the first there and planted our flag?

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Fears that the competition might trigger World War III led to the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which was eventually ratified by 62 countries. According to article II of the treaty, "Outer Space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sover­eignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means."

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Interesting article on it:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/spac...a3358/4264325/

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Originally Posted by Private Pickle

Interesting article on it:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/spac...a3358/4264325/

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Thanks for that

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Originally Posted by jimmyz

Thanks for that

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You bet. It will be a very interesting debate that actually could lead to wars...in about 100-200 years...

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Originally Posted by Private Pickle

You bet. It will be a very interesting debate that actually could lead to wars...in about 100-200 years...

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I think a lot sooner than that.

The "outer space treaty" isn't relevant today. It does show the backwards way we thought in those days. Outer Space. That sounds dumb. So does "Space, the final frontier." Sounds better that "outer space" but its far from final. "Space travel, the next frontier" sounds better.

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Originally Posted by Don

The "outer space treaty" isn't relevant today. It does show the backwards way we thought in those days. Outer Space. That sounds dumb. So does "Space, the final frontier." Sounds better that "outer space" but its far from final. "Space travel, the next frontier" sounds better.

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We need competition in space to drive progress. I imagine China will militarize whatever part of the moon they land on first.

That's the trouble with those international treaties and conventions. We're the only ones who adhere to them and it seems like we're the only ones expected to by other countries. I think we should revise everyone of them to include lines that say we only honor treaties and conventions that are honored by other countries. Like the Geneva convention. I can't think of one war or conflict we were in where the other side honored it.