Protection of Cultural Heritage Sites on the Moon

Book excerpt: 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.