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The Conversation
The Conversation
Gbenga Oduntan, Professor of Law, University of Bradford

As the US and China race to the Moon, these loopholes in space law could cause conflict

Nasa

Outer space is infinite, but that hasn’t stopped humans trying to impose their laws on it. There are more ways for people to travel to space than ever before, and the next few decades are likely to see the US and China sending humans to the Moon again.

Both countries aim to set up long-term research stations on the lunar surface, a bit like there are now in Antarctica. But could disputes between these two countries – and potentially others, such as Russia or India – arise over where to locate bases on the lunar surface? And could the same happen over claims to the Moon’s resources, such as the water ice located in craters at the lunar poles?

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