Recognizing and Protecting the History of Humans in Space – Michelle Hanlon

Heritage is an evolving resource that supports identity, memory and sense of place and has a crucial role in achieving sustainable development. Humanity has a common responsibility to the past – to protect it so that we may move forward to the future in unity.
Unfortunately, historic sites, our heritage, in outer space – and particularly on the Moon – are distressingly vulnerable to damage, whether intentional or inadvertent. And yet, they enjoy no legal protection or even recognition. The treaty regime guiding outer space activities is silent with respect to the management, conservation and preservation of our human and cultural heritage in outer space. Indeed, not only do the treaties provide little clarity, their provisions raise more questions than they address. As a practical matter, this means there is nothing to stop anyone or any rover from destroying the still preserved bootprints left by Neil and Buzz at Tranquility Base, or any robotic lunar landing sites. It is an unfortunate state of affairs in particular because there is little doubt humanity is headed back to the Moon.
But we have an unprecedented opportunity. This is the first time in human history that we can preserve our human heritage before destruction or abuse. and embrace the fact that preservation is not antithetical to progress. It is a sign of progress.
For All Moonkind has started laying the groundwork for the development of an international system that preserves our heritage in space. This presentation will describe the steps taken nationally and internationally to protect cultural heritage in outer space and outline continuing efforts to assure this moment is not lost.

An essential bio

Michelle L.D. Hanlon is Co-Director of the Air and Space Law Program at the University of Mississippi School of Law and its Center for Air and Space Law. She is the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Space Law, the world’s oldest law journal dedicated to the legal problems arising out of human activities in outer space and its sister publication, the Journal of Drone Law and Policy. Michelle is a Co-Founder and President of For All Moonkind, Inc., a nonprofit corporation that is the only organization in the world focused on protecting human cultural heritage in outer space. In this capacity, she was instrumental in the development of the recently enacted One Small Step Act in the United States. For All Moonkind has been recognized by the United Nations as a Permanent Observer to the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.

Links

Follow the Livestream on the Space Renaissance YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/live/IXx_BUh9hco
and click ‘going’ on the Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/204291048909954/