Appropriation in outer space: the relationship between land ownership and sovereignty on the celestial bodies

摘要

This article analyses the impact of the non-appropriation principle of the Outer Space Treaty over landed property rights on the celestial bodies, proving that, while appropriation of land may exist outside the sphere of sovereignty, its survival is dependent upon endorsement from a sovereign entity. A State endorsment would violate the non-appropriation principle, and abrogation of this principle would be both undesirable and unlikely to happen.