Perhaps it was a poorly written article, but I didn't know that the FAA authority extended to the Moon.
I'm sure not just anyone can launch something into space, which could possibly fall back to earth and interfere with air traffic. Not to mention getting past all the man-made satellites out there.
They must have their own version of FAA, and their sky's are a lot less congested. You can bet they watch the sky's close though.
There's something I've never pondered before. Just like the oceans themselves, presumably there is skies over open ocean that don't have any controlling authorities.
If you read the article they make it clear why they had to get FAA permission.
Of course this would be moot if they put the launch pad out in the middle of the Atlantic or Pacific. But they won't since the company is operating on a shoestring budget and needs to use government facilities.
I'd be more impressed if this outfit could actually bring moon material back. But it looks like they don't have the expertise and tech to pull it off.
Their proposal must of had substance, the web site and press kit pdf doesn't give much insite, just high hopes.
The framework of the interagency approval surrounds Moon Express’ proposed ‘Mission Approval’ arrangement that utilizes existing payload review and launch license processes under authorities of the Secretary of Transportation, and adds to them a series of voluntary disclosures intended to provide the Federal Government with sufficient information to help fulfill its supervisory obligations under the Outer Space Treaty.
One day soon we are going to see man's involvement with the moon. What a great place for advertising. Giant LED billboards to fight for space, who's in front, who has to settle for the dark side. Maybe not but, Russia and China won't sit by and let us take over.
(Reuters) - A Florida-based company won U.S. government permission on Wednesday to send a robotic lander to the moon next year, the firm's founder said, marking the first time the United States has cleared a private space mission to fly beyond Earth’s orbit.
As approved by the FAA's Office of Commercial Space Transportation, the privately held Moon Express, headquartered in Cape Canaveral, plans to fly a suitcase-sized lander to the moon for a two-week mission in 2017, said the company founder and chief executive Bob Richards.The spacecraft will carry a number of science experiments and some commercial cargo on its one-way trip to the lunar surface, including cremated human remains, and will beam back pictures and video to Earth, the company said.Before now, no government agency was recognized as having authority to oversee private missions beyond Earth's orbit, though a 1967 international treaty holds the United States responsible for any flights into space by its non-government entities.So far, only government agencies have flown spacecraft beyond the orbit of the Earth.
To address the conundrum, the FAA, which already exercises jurisdiction over commercial rocket launches in the United States, led an interagency review of the Moon Express proposal, which included steps the company would take to ensure compliance with the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.
Other companies are expected to soon follow the same framework.
Elon Musk, founder and chief executive of Space Exploration Technologies, plans to fly a spacecraft to Mars in 2018, a mission that raises a host of issues dealing with protecting potential indigenous life on the planet from contamination by Earth microbes.
Among other private space ventures in the works are missions to mine asteroids, operate science labs and repair and service satellites.
Planetary protection is less of a concern on the moon, but Moon Express did have to contend with concerns about disturbing Apollo and other historic lunar landing sites, among other issues.“We proposed a scenario that built on the existing FAA mission-approval framework," Richards said.NASA and other agencies, including the Defense, State and Commerce departments, ultimately agreed that no new law was necessary, Richards said.As part of the agreement, NASA will advise, but not regulate, Moon Express activities on the lunar surface.
If every country on this planet has the aspirations for space, we are bound to mess things up out there. China lost contact with it's moon rover but, has made new discoveries with their lunar telescope. I didn't realize that they are this far in to it.
China has made it clear they plan to send humans back to the moon. Their current lunar program is focused on developing the technology and experience to do that.
MikeDYur
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I'm sure not just anyone can launch something into space, which could possibly fall back to earth and interfere with air traffic. Not to mention getting past all the man-made satellites out there.
Then you can see what the enemy is doing. It's harder for them to get at you up hill. And you can lob stuff down on them!
What better high ground than the moon?
For sure everyone will want to know what is going up there and for why. That's why we had a "space race" in the Apollo era.
They must have their own version of FAA, and their sky's are a lot less congested. You can bet they watch the sky's close though.
I would exspect North Korea to try a hole shot just for that purpose.
To the moon Alice! To the moon!
Anybody looked lately? He's already there with his one rollercoaster theme park.
Of course this would be moot if they put the launch pad out in the middle of the Atlantic or Pacific. But they won't since the company is operating on a shoestring budget and needs to use government facilities.
I'd be more impressed if this outfit could actually bring moon material back. But it looks like they don't have the expertise and tech to pull it off.
Put Ralph's eyes on him and it turns out kinda spooky.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outer_Space_Treaty
http://www.moonexpress.com/
Happy Halloween ahead of time.
EDIT: it looks like me opening a delivery from Parallax.
Also, I wonder who gets the unique interment?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_Express
http://www.universetoday.com/130169/north-korea-aims-place-flag-moon/