Can You Buy Land On Mars Legally? | askBAMLand

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Ever since humans began reaching for the stars, many have fantasized about owning a piece of extraterrestrial real estate. So can you buy land on Mars?

Unfortunately, you cannot buy land on Mars legally today. Companies claim to sell land on Mars, but it’s not legally allowed for anyone. The Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act of 2015 restricts this type of activity.

I have studied the various treaties and agreements related to space exploration. I can provide insight into the question of whether or not it is possible to buy land on Mars legally. In this article, we will explore the legal framework governing extraterrestrial property rights and examine the various arguments for and against land ownership on Mars.

Key Takeaways

  • No, you cannot legally own land on Mars at this time.
  • The Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act of 2015 states that nobody can engage in the commercial exploration and exploitation of space resources, including Mars.
  • Companies claiming to sell land on Mars should not be trusted.

Table of Contents

Can You Buy Land On Mars Legally?

I always thought owning a piece of Mars would be fascinating. However, buying land on Mars is not legally possible. Be aware of scams too. We’ve seen websites claiming to sell land on Mars for up to a million dollars.

Remember when there was a buzz around the Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act of 2015? Well, even though it allows US citizens to own resources extracted from celestial bodies, it clearly states that it doesn't grant sovereignty or property rights to those bodies.

Why Do Companies Sell Land On Mars Then?

You might come across some companies, like Lunar Embassy or Buy Mars, that claim selling extraterrestrial real estate. The truth is, nobody on planet Earth owns any part of Mars to sell legally, and these companies should not be trusted or used. The same exact deal exists for the moon.

The Lunar Embassy's claim stems from a loophole in the Outer Space Treaty, but international legal authorities have never recognized it. They also claim to be part of the United Nations. Instead, this is not true, and planet Mars remains free to explore for all.

In reality, the International Astronomical Union is the one who handles these situations. The signed international laws state that Mars is not subject to national appropriation by anybody on Earth.

So, even though the idea of owning land on Mars is appealing, purchasing a piece of it from companies or individuals wouldn't be a valid legal transaction. Always remember, our Red Planet is for everyone to admire and explore, not their own.

Legal Challenges Of Claiming Ownership Of Mars

In an ideal world, we could explore the solar system, purchase land on places like Mars, and become a Mars land owner. But it's much more complicated than that.

Firstly, it's important to understand that various companies, such as Buy Mars and Lunar Embassy, claim to be selling land on Mars. However, their claims are not legally recognized by any international law, treaty, or nation's constitution.

The international community abides by the Outer Space Treaty, which indicates that outer space, including Mars, is not subject to national sovereignty. This means that no country can legally own or claim any part of Mars or other celestial bodies.

Another challenge is that land ownership traditionally derives from a legal regime that, in the case of Mars, is nonexistent. Since no sovereign entity on Mars can grant land ownership, it is impossible to own any land there legally.

Establishing a new sovereign entity on Mars would likely require international recognition or a force of arms. Given the current state of international law and relations, achieving either seems improbable.

Why Is Mars Land Ownership a Popular Topic?

In the future, the thought is that companies will be able to lay claim to land and resources on Mars. But for now, this is not the case. And because of the uncertainty on Mars and in deep space, it remains a hot topic for discussion.

Popularity of Space Exploration

As someone who is always intrigued by space exploration, I believe one of the reasons Mars land ownership has become a popular topic is because of the increasing interest in missions to Mars.

With agencies like NASA and private companies such as SpaceX working towards exploring and potentially colonizing the Red Planet, the idea of owning a piece of Mars has become quite captivating.

The concept of acquiring land on other celestial bodies is certainly exciting, but it's important to understand that it's not legally possible to purchase land on Mars. According to the Outer Space Treaty, no country can own specific territories in outer space, including Mars.

Desire for Extraterrestrial Property

In my personal experience, people have always been fascinated by the unknown, and our desire to explore other planets like Mars has definitely sparked our imagination. For some, this fascination has led to a growing interest in owning extraterrestrial property.

However, as I previously mentioned, any claims to Mars land ownership are not legally recognized. While some websites offer novelty "Mars land deeds," it's important to understand that these are not legally binding or recognized by any government authority.

The idea of Mars land ownership is an intriguing topic mainly because of the growing interest in space exploration and the desire to possess extraterrestrial property. That being said, it's crucial to remember that you cannot legally buy land on Mars.

About THE AUTHOR

Brittany Melling

Brittany Melling

Brittany has been in the land business since 2020 when the world was starting to shut down. Since then, we’ve sold to dozens of people from ATV weekend warriors to camping enthusiasts to retired truck drivers. Our inventory spans mostly in the western United States. We’ve been trained by experience, land acquisition courses, and hundreds of hours meeting with county assessors and clerks, zoning officials, realtors, and land investors. We’ve answered hundreds of questions from people regarding the buying and use of land.

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