How to Buy Land on the Moon

If you've found this page, presumably you know that there are organizations selling Moon real estate. As with any investment, you should consider all of your options (not to mention the details of the deal), before buying a piece of the Moon. This page explores the many questions concerning how to buy land on the Moon.

If you've found this page, presumably you know that there are organizations selling Moon real estate. As with any investment, you should consider all of your options (not to mention the details of the deal), before buying a piece of the Moon. This page explores the many questions concerning how to buy land on the Moon.
Introduction
- Whether you're planning on opening a cozy bed and breakfast overlooking Armstrong Crater, or just hanging an amusing artifact on the wall, there are important considerations for the would-be lunar land baron. Several organizations advertise and sell deeds to lunar land by the acre. Unfortunately, a deed to Moon land may not be all that it seems.
Options
- There are three main organizations selling Moon land, each with different legal claims and property options.
1. The Lunar Embassy
  - The Lunar Embassy was established in 1980 when Nevada resident Dennis Hope "found a loophole" in the UN's International Space Treaty, allowing him to claim ownership to the Moon (along with the rest of the solar system, except Earth) and declare himself Head Cheese. He has since made over $9 million selling Moon land by the acre.
  - Cost: $22.49 per acre.
  - What You Get:
  - If you stake a claim through Lunar Embassy, you get a parchment-like deed to one acre of Moon land (presumably chosen by the Embassy), a Lunar Map, the Lunar Constitution and Bill of Rights and a copy of a short story entitled, "You Own the What?"
2. Lunar International
  - Founded in 1996, Lunar International dedicates itself towards allowing regular citizens to own property on the moon. The company sells plots of moon property from one to five acres in a dozen different lunar regions, from the Sea of Tranquility to the Ocean of Storms.
  - Cost: $18.75 to $37.50 per acre, depending on location.
  - What You Get: Each property package sold by Lunar International includes a personalized deed certificate, information about the lunar region where the property is located, a satellite photograph of the area and geographic coordinates to help purchasers find their lunar property through a telescope. Buyers also receive a free membership in the Society for Lunar Exploration and Development (SLED), a citizen advocacy group concerned with the privatized ownership and development of lunar real estate.
3. The Lunar Republic
  - Founded in 1999, the Lunar Republic Society is dedicated to establishing a human presence on the Moon through private enterprise. Via its sales affiliate, the Lunar Registry (The Earth's Leading Lunar Real Estate Agency), the Republic sells a variety of Moon plots, by the acre.
  - Cost: $18.95 to $37.50 per acre.
  - What You Get: Lunar Registry is currently offering "select" property on the Sea of Vapors for only 18.95 per acre and in the Lunar Alps for 31.25. Note that there is no sea (or vapor) in the Sea of Vapors and no snow on the Lunar Alps. Your deed is engraved on parchment-like paper, plus you get a satellite photograph of your property, as well as a brochure detailing attractions in the area. There is a $10 shipping and handling fee.
Blatant trespassing?
Validity
- Companies claiming to sell Moon land have engaged in legal battles and competing propaganda campaigns. Since they do not recognize each other's claims, it is conceivable that they are actually selling overlapping properties, a state of affairs that could lead to nasty neighborhood disputes on the Moon. Leaving aside that issue, however, let's examine the more basic question of whether or not it is legal to own, or sell, Moon land.
1. According to the 1967 Outer Space Treaty—officially called the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies—the Moon is the "province of all mankind."
  - Article II states: 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.
2. Lunar Embassy takes advantage of this perceived loophole in the treaty: The Moon cannot be claimed by nations, but the treaty says nothing about individuals and corporations.
  - Head Cheese Dennis Hope has gotten rich selling Moon land, but his claim has been dismissed by legal analysts.
3. Lunar Republic appears to base its claims on an argument against the legitimacy of the UN as a governing body. The company is planning for private exploration and settlement of the Moon, with the goal of eventually establishing a democratically elected Moon government. Lunar Registry also claims compliance with the Lunar Settlement Initiative (a proposal which has not been ratified by any governing body).
- For a detailed analysis of space property rights, read Homesteading The High Frontier.
Why Buy Moon Land?
- Because of the unique nature of Moon real estate, as well as its contested legitimacy, it's very important to examine your motives and intentions before making a purchase.
- Development.
  1. Like a lot of real estate investors, you may want to purchase Moon land with the goal of development and rental.
  2. Even assuming that claims to Moon land are legal, this is no guarantee that they will also be profitable for residential use.
  3. The Moon contains nine billion acres. Even though half of it is on the less desirable "dark side," it is unlikely that the there will be a lunar real estate crunch within our lifetimes.
  4. The Moon has no atmosphere, but lots of radiation. Barring some mind-bending advance in nanotechnology, the Moon is likely to remain inhospitable to terrestrial life, although certain private organizations have begun experimenting with the idea of terra-forming or creating living, earth-like environments, on the Moon.
- Mining.
  1. It is possible, maybe even probable, that humans will establish permanent Moon bases in the future. It has been speculated that in order to survive, such bases would need to tap the Moon's resources.
  2. Moon soil, known as regolith, is rich in oxygen, titanium, aluminum, silicon and iron, all of which would be valuable materials for the development of a Moon base.
  3. Keep in mind, however, that if sales continue at the current pace, there will remain plenty of unclaimed Moon land for potential mining, hundreds of years into the future. Your acre may not be in such high demand.
- Impress Your Friends.
  1. The most immediate (and perhaps only) satisfaction you will get from owning a deed to Moon land is its novelty value.
  2. If you do decide to purchase Moon land, display your deed proudly along with all other marks of your distinction—such as your deed to a 1 square-inch ranch along Route 66 and your certificate of authenticity as an ordained minister in the Universal Life Church.
Resources for How to Buy Land on the Moon