Whether you're looking to build a property on the moon, or simply wondering if you're allowed to do so, there's some important information you need to know about the legality of doing so.

Legality of owning a piece of the moon

Several companies have expressed interest in mining the Moon's surface. However, the legality of owning a piece of the Moon is still unclear. Despite this, it is certainly a possible prospect in the future. The question resurfaces when people travel to space.

The first artificial satellite launched by the Soviet Union was Sputnik 1. It opened up new scientific and legal possibilities. It also opened the door for space exploration.

Since then, the legality of owning a small piece of the moon has been a topic of discussion. Some claim that individuals can actually own a piece of the Moon. Others argue that it is impossible for a private individual to own a piece of the moon. This article addresses the issue.

One law professor, Claire Finkelstein, says that the legality of owning a small slice of the Moon is a matter of semantics. There are loopholes in the legal code that allow people to buy a piece of the Moon.

In the same article, she notes that the first legal document on space exploration was the Outer Space Treaty of 1967. This document was signed by the United States, the Soviet Union and the UK. It explicitly states that no country can claim ownership of celestial bodies.

The treaty has not yet been ratified by any country. Nonetheless, several countries have signed a clause in the treaty that gives them the right to use extraterrestrial resources.

Cost of building a home on the moon

Whether or not you plan on living in space, it's important to understand what it would cost. While it's impossible to estimate the exact cost of a Build property on moon, you can get a ballpark figure of how much it would cost to build. Luckily, most of the materials required to construct a structure on the Moon already exist.

To put it into perspective, the cost of a 10-pound bag of rice will cost more than $100 just to ship it to the moon. A similar amount would be required to send a space suit, and equipment needed to keep astronauts alive adds up fast.

The most expensive element of building a house on the moon is likely the solar panels. A 34-panel solar energy setup will run you around $23,000, assuming you have the materials. The average household of four will need 5.4 tons of water per year to stay comfortable. The top layer of lunar soil contains 32 ounces of water for every ton of dirt.

The best way to produce water on the moon is to process liquid waste. The only downside is that it's hard to find a good place to do it.

Another potential technology is 3-D printing. A company called ICON, based in Austin, Texas, is currently running tests on simulated lunar soil. This technique could make it possible to build lunar homes without all the hassle of launching supplies from Earth.

Cost of living in a lunar colony

Creating a lunar colony is expensive, and there are many hurdles to overcome. A study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimates that it will cost $US35 billion to build and operate a base on the Moon.

The most important supplies for the first settlers would be food and water. Eventually, the colony would need to collect resources from the moon. For example, algae could be used as a protein source and a filter for water.

It would also take a lot of energy to travel to the Moon, which increases the cost of building a colony. Solar power would be required, but there are only certain areas that could provide reliable solar energy.

Aside from transportation, the settlement would need roads, landing pads, storage sheds, and living quarters for astronauts. These buildings would be constructed from the moon's materials. The materials are hard to work with, and they require a lot of energy to build.

Another solution to the problem of transporting food and other materials from Earth is to use hydroponic farms. These farms use mineral solutions to produce fresh fruits and vegetables instead of soil. They also convert CO2 back to breathable air through photosynthesis.

The South Pole of the Moon contains large deposits of water ice. This would provide a favorable climate. A settlement could use these deposits for fuel and oxygen.