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RSwordsman t1_j25tluh wrote

The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 forbids governments from declaring sovereignty over celestial bodies, and I presume that would extend to companies claiming private ownership.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outer_Space_Treaty

Granted that's likely to change if we can more easily get there and hash out new laws, but for now it seems that ownership is still forbidden.

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--Lavish-- OP t1_j25trrl wrote

Good to know that I can take my tin foil hat off.

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RSwordsman t1_j25u6qg wrote

The only reason I knew about that was through research for a sci-fi novel I started. Basically the age-old "parent nation establishes a colony and taxes it, colonists remember they're on a different-frigging-planet and declare independence." It's still in really bad shape lol, but I hope that we can get ahead of any interplanetary conflicts before they start.

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crayg t1_j25v46o wrote

That sounds like an interesting novel! When its ready id love to read it, just let me know where i can purchase it or add me to any list you have for notifications :)

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RSwordsman t1_j25wknc wrote

You're too kind. :D It's my first and only novel so far and I promise it's a total mess. I might return to it someday but for now it's stashed away lol.

But just to stir your imagination a little, it's called New Albion's Bargain. That scenario I mentioned is sort of a backdrop for the main events, which are inspired by the legend of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. In the original story, Sir Gawain sees his chivalric values challenged and suffers negative consequences every time he messes up. My treatment follows a starship captain who's given the chance to reject his authoritarian junta and empathize with the "rebels" who never agreed to being ruled in the first place.

I dare say it's a cool idea but I feel I don't quite have the skill or motivation to make it publishable. :/

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crayg t1_j262794 wrote

Return to it one day! It sounds great. I think i read somewhere that Nolan had plans for the film Dunkirk, but didnt feel he had the skill or experience to make it what he wished. So he returned to it later on Good luck!

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staaarfox t1_j25vvmf wrote

You can’t make claims to the land, but you can certainly retain ownership of the infrastructure you put up there. If (somehow) Musk built a city on Mars, he’d be able to charge for its use.

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RSwordsman t1_j25x5tx wrote

That is a good detail to include, thank you.

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