Topics

• What are the gaps in space law in light of current and emergent lunar explorations?
• Should a new legally binding treaty be established to govern an International Lunar Base? What should the convention address? What enforcement mechanisms should there be? Alternately, or in addition to a convention, should guidelines be established? Who should establish the guidelines? What key topics should be addressed?
• What legal instruments should govern commercial, peaceful uses of the moon? What are the risks of having existing international space law / trade agreements / environmental treaties, etc. prevail?
• Should the moon be used for commercial purposes? i.e. communications, media, movie production, mining, tourism, private research, etc. Are there commercial purposes that should be prohibited? What are the pros and cons of an inclusionary list versus an exclusionary list of activities?
• What are the legal consequences of robotic exploration versus human habitation?
• What legal rules should govern consumptive use of lunar natural resources?
• What legal rules should govern liability for possible or actual environmental contamination on the moon, in transit to the moon, or discharged/vented into space?
• How should international law address possible space or lunar "junk"?
• Can there ever be peaceful nuclear uses on the moon?
• Does there need to be a better definition of what constitutes "peaceful uses" of the moon and lunar exploration?

Guidelines and Submissions

• Global Lunar Conference, 31 May - 3 June 2010