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This book provides an extensive overview of the protection of cultural heritages sites on the Moon (humanity's lunar heritage) and the various threats they face. First of all, the international legal framework, especially the relevant space treaties are analyzed in terms of how they protect cultural heritages sites on the Moon. In turn, the book explores key aspects like the application of customary law, the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, or the Underwater Convention, and the possibility of adding these sites to UNESCO's World Heritage list. The book subsequently addresses the question of how to define culture heritage sites or artifacts, in particular in view of the "Outstanding Universal Value" criterion, which is a vital aspect in order to differentiate them from space garbage or even space threats. Lastly, the book proposes and elaborates on various protection systems and multilateral protection regulations. Especially now, 50 years after the first human landing on the Moon,the book is a timely publication that will be of interest to all scholars and professionals working in the space field.
List of contents
Could the Moon's cultural heritage be inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List?.- The legal Framework protecting cultural heritage sites in the Moon and in situ preservation.- Does the Outer Space Treaty permit the protection and preservation of cultural heritage sites on the Moon?.- The protection of cultural ´heritage sites on Moon: The poo bags paradox.- One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space Act as one small step towards US space dominance? The case for a multilateral treaty protection regime.- The Outstanding Universal Value' Concept of the UNESCO Heritage Convention: Food for Thought to Preserve Lunar Artifacts.- Necessity of Special Regulation for Protection of Cultural Heritage Sites in the Moon.- How to preserve humanity's lunar heritage.- Protection of Lunar heritage sites: A customary law perspective.- Lunar Seismic experiments: A legacy which deserves to be remembered.- The Moon that Owns Itself: Exploring New Legal Avenues to Protect Cultural and Natural Heritage in Space.
Report
"The different perspectives offered by the eleven authors from all regions of the World enable the reader to develop their own ideas ... . The book is a stimulating and entertaining read for an audience of open-minded lawyers, policy-makers and policy analysts, both in the field of space activities as in the international cultural sphere, that allow themselves to look beyond the obvious." (Ulrike M. Bohlmann, Zeitschrift für Luft- und Weltraumrecht ZLW, Vol. 69 (3), 2020)
