Some of the controversies here can be solved by opening the heavenly bodies to private ownership in the style of the 19th century Homestead Act. Divide the moon, Mars, etc., into defined tracts that can be owned by the first to reach it, develop it, and register a claim. No taxpayer money needed, and private investors will do it only when there is a viable reason. (Don’t bother to bombard me with the issues and problems; they are all soluble with the necessary will.)
But they’d better start their projects soon, because I intend to see a manned Mars landing before I’m done.
Some of the controversies here can be solved by opening the heavenly bodies to private ownership in the style of the 19th century Homestead Act. Divide the moon, Mars, etc., into defined tracts that can be owned by the first to reach it, develop it, and register a claim. No taxpayer money needed, and private investors will do it only when there is a viable reason. (Don’t bother to bombard me with the issues and problems; they are all soluble with the necessary will.)
But they’d better start their projects soon, because I intend to see a manned Mars landing before I’m done.