LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE EXPLORATION AND USES OF THE MOON AND OTHER CELESTIAL BODIES

Various studies, taking into account the progress of technology, envision Humankind's return to the Moon during the first decades of the 21st century, followed by the exploration of other celestial bodies; a flight to Mars is already anticipated. Of course, these missions will have to be governed by rules of law. This paper is devoted to an overview of the legal implications that could arise with respect to the exploration and uses of the Moon and other celestial bodies. Inter alia, it examines issues like the applicability of the current space treaties to settlements on and explorations of the celestial bodies, the projects being considered for robotic explorations and possible human settlements that could be established on the Moon and beyond, the effectiveness of the Moon Agreement, the need for its review, the proposed international regime for the Moon, the concept of the Common Heritage of Mankind and its applicability on the Moon, preservation of the environment, and co-related matters. Regulation of human conduct and activities on the Moon and other celestial bodies is examined, and the impact of the principle necessite fait loi (''necessity makes law'') on these issues is looked into.