Experts note that the biggest problem lies in countries and private companies are trying to explore the same sites and resources that are limited.
Scientists at Harvard-Smithsonian Astrophysics Center warn that search for resources from the Moon could unleash new political and economic tensions, even conflicts on Earth, according to a study published in the journal Transactions of the Royal Society.
The authors of the research claim that many of the useful and valuable resources on the moon they are concentrated in a modest number of regions which are quite small and are located a few kilometers from each other. In this way, without international policies or agreements between countries, it is possible that disputes will break out in the future.
“Many people think of space as a place of peace and harmony among nations. The problem is that there is no law to regulate who can use the resources, and there are a significant number of space agencies and others in the sector. private that is trying to land on the moon in the next five years, “said Martin Elvis, lead author of the study.
He follows specialists, resources like water and his important son because they allow him to conduct future research and launch missions from the moon. “There are no needs that have resources from Earth to support the mission, preferences obtained from the Moon. Iron is important if you want to build anything on the Moon, it would be absurdly expensive to be transported to the Moon,” he said. comment Elvis.
Tony Milligan, co-author of the study, noted that “since the lunar rock samples returned by the Apollo program indicated the presence of helium-3, the Moon has become one of several strategic resources.”
Although there are some pacts, such as the Treaty on Outer Space, 1967, which prohibits national appropriation for sovereignty, and the Artemis Agreements, 2020, which emphasize peaceful exploration, transparency of activities and coordination , none of them are destined for solid resource protection, say specialists.
According to another co-author, Alanna Krolikowski, “important conceptual foundations already exist and we can begin to implement, or at least deliberate, specific local measures to address the problems anticipated in specific places today.”
Scientists believe that a first step has to be the creation of an agreement between the countries. Following the researchers, the agreement should focus on the nature of the resources at stake, how their benefits can be distributed, and, fundamentally, the worst-case scenarios that users try to avoid.
“The development of an agreement on these issues is a precondition for the outgoing coordination of activities in these uniquely attractive lunar sites,” Krolikowski stressed.