Virgiliu Pop, a well-known European attorney specializing in space property rights, was the guest on The Space Show for this program. One of the hot topics discussed at length on this show was the sale of extraterrestrial real estate such as property on the Moon, Mars, and throughout our solar system. Several companies do this around the world. Mr. Pop outlined the legal issues that in his opinion make the sale of this real estate OK for novelty purposes but illegal were one to consider it a legitimate, legal, and binding deed to a piece of real estate on the Moon or elsewhere in space. In the process of discussing this issue, we talked about the Outer Space Treaty and several of the other United Nations treaties that govern how nations treat outer space, its development, access, exploitation, and possible settlement. Mr. Pop also discussed both legal and treaty aspects of space commerce and what private companies can and cannot do in space with planetary bodies such as the Moon, Mars, or asteroids. We also discussed remedies for people who think they have been injured by a piece of lunar or other space real estate, what types of courts would have such jurisdiction, and if such a claim would need new laws or be applicable under existing legislation. Mr. Pop brings Space Show listeners new information, an important perspective, great wit and humor to the need for understanding issues surrounding property rights in space. I look forward to his returning to The Space Show and to the information he shares with The Space Show audience.
Guest
The Space Show
