Bigelow Aerospace now wants to own lunar property
He owns the infamous Skinwalker Ranch in Utah...and once had a contract with MUFON for exclusive rights to investigate certain case files.
Space pioneer Robert Bigelow believes that private companies, like his own space firm Bigelow Aerospace, should be able to own lunar property.
Bigelow Aerospace and NASA held a press conference in Washington, DC on Tuesday, November 12 to discuss Bigelow Aerospace’s completed and upcoming projects. NASA’s dwindling resources have forced the agency to rely on private space companies, like Bigelow Aerospace, to provide hardware and other resources in order to realize missions. Bigelow Aerospace secured contracts with NASA in 2013 to test an expandable habitat on the International Space Station and to develop plans for a base on the moon.
At the recent press conference in Washington, DC, Bigelow also discussed lunar mining and the need for property rights on the Moon. The question of whether a person or private company can legally own property on the Moon has been a longstanding issue of debate.
The 1967 Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, commonly referred to as the Outer Space Treaty, is predominantly the basis for laws governing space. Article II of the Outer Space Treaty states, “Outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means.” Some strictly interpret this provision to mean that, although governments may not claim property rights, private companies may indeed claim ownership. But Article VI of the Outer Space Treaty provides, “States Parties to the Treaty shall bear international responsibility for national activities in outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, whether such activities are carried on by governmental agencies or by non-governmental entities, and for assuring that national activities are carried out in conformity with the provisions set forth in the present Treaty.”
Those who argue that the Outer Space Treaty does not regulate private behavior overlook the importance of Article VI. To this point, in his book The Development of Outer Space: Sovereignty and Property Rights in International Space Law, Thomas Gangale, executive director of aerospace think tank Ops-Alaska, cites Lawrence A. Cooper, an attorney specializing in space law: “Some have argued that [Outer Space Treaty]‘s broad definitions allow individual appropriation of space and celestial bodies because it only specifically prohibits appropriation by States; however, States are responsible for the actions of individuals, and property claims must occur through the State’s property laws. Therefore individuals may not claim space or celestial bodies.” In essence, all parties in space are bound by the Outer Space Treaty. The treaty binds the governments, and the governments bind their citizens through laws and other means.
Critics note that current space law is riddled with ambiguities, an issue that necessitates revisiting the Outer Space Treaty to modify and expand the framework for space law. Robert Bigelow believes “The time has come to get serious about lunar property rights.”
When asked by CNBC if he believes anyone should own the Moon, Bigelow responded, “No. No one anything should own the moon. But, yes, multiple entities, group, individual, yes. They should have opportunity to own the Moon.” Explaining his reasoning for wanting lunar property rights, Bigelow stated, “Ultimately, permanent lunar bases will have to be anchored to permanent commercial facilities . . . Without property rights there will be no justification for investment and the risk to life.”
Bigelow called for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to allow property rights for lunar mining. But National Geographic reports that, according to the FAA, “The agency only regulates launches and reentries of rockets from orbit, and doesn’t oversee activities of spacecraft.” But Bigelow Aerospace attorney Mike Gold believes that, because of the FAA’s oversight of launches, it is the right place to start asking for permission to mine the Moon. - OpenMinds
The Moon: Resources, Future Development and Settlement (Springer Praxis Books / Space Exploration)
Return to the Moon: Exploration, Enterprise, and Energy in the Human Settlement of Space
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Scientists discover world's oldest creature
A bivalve mollusc that goes by the name of Ming has turned out to be a staggering 507 years old.
Having survived for centuries through climate change, world wars and natural predators, the oldest living creature would seem to be able to endure almost anything, at least that was until researchers managed to kill while they were trying to determine how old it was.
The investigative blunder saw the record-breaking mollusc's life come to an abrupt end just as its significance had been realized. Ming was first discovered in Iceland in 2006 and was believed to be 405 years old until a more recent study revealed it to be almost a century older.
"After the story hit the media, we were contacted by people who were upset that the ocean quahog had been killed. But we had no idea it was that old before it was too late," said researcher Paul Butler.
The jury is still out on whether Ming really is the oldest living creature, with the distinct possibility that far older molluscs are still out there. By refining the definition of "creature" it is also possible to include the glass sponge, an organism that lives up to 23,000 years, as a potential candidate for the title. Read more at Scientists date world's oldest animal at 507 years old — after they accidentally kill it
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Tracking Bigfoot in Kentucky
In October researchers in Dallas released new information from the Sasquatch Genome Project claiming there is now DNA evidence proving Bigfoot is indeed no longer a myth, but rather a human hybrid living among us.
During that announcement video of what researchers believe is a female sleeping near Crittenden, Ky was also released.
Whether you think the video is real or not, according to researchers there have been hundreds of sightings of the creature here in the state.
So is it fact or fiction?
WKYT's Amber Philpott hits the trail with one Kentucky man who is always searching for Bigfoot.
Along a quiet country road in Henry county there isn't much out of the ordinary, or is there?
"I heard a g-r-r-r and I just froze, crickets stopped, it was an eery silence," said Bruce Tandy.
The night of September 27th Tandy says he was pulling onto a road in Henry county leaving a friend's home.
What happened next after flipping on his headlights still has the veteran farmer and hunter spooked.
"That's when sitting right there on the road in my rear view mirror was something, and all I saw was like the mid section of a big hairy creature that had arms with fur about 3-4 inches long," said Tandy.
Tandy still can't be sure what he saw that night.
"I was scared to death, I always thought you know it would be cool to see one, not just right next to me," said Tandy.
Some will swear what Tandy encountered was Bigfoot itself.
When asked if Tandy believes he saw Bigfoot he said that was the first thing that went through his mind because he knew it wasn't a bear.
The love affair with bigfoot has been going on for decades, with countless reports and grainy sightings.
Since 1997 Charlie Raymond has headed up the Kentucky Bigfoot Research Organization and says he has 274 reports of sightings in Kentucky in his database.
"We take reports from people here in Kentucky who have seen something out of the ordinary," said Raymond.
He says Kentucky is a hotbed of activity for Bigfoot sightings with reports all across the state.
"Typically in Kentucky they are usually dark brown, little bit of red tint to it and usually stand at least seven feet tall," said Raymond.
WKYT set out with Raymond and his wife Dana to track the creature near the site of two reported encounters in Henry county.
Raymond was able to show us ways they communicate like knocking on a tree.
Many times expeditions like the one we went on are about getting into Bigfoot's territory.
Raymond looks for any sign like footprints or structures that many experts think are where Bigfoot beds down.
The creature is known to be elusive, even escaping being photographed on trail cameras.
Raymond says its because the creatures are highly intelligent and says if you get to close they will usually let you know.
While our trek to find Bigfoot turned up nothing, Raymond says he's seen proof with his own eyes of existence.
"We've been on an investigation where our group had a thermal imager, and we actually captured what appears to be two juveniles belly crawling," said Raymond.
The fascination with Bigfoot started early for Charlie Raymond as a child and since then he has become a true believer.
Raymond's wife Dana though, is the skeptic.
"I'm not a 100% believer, probably I'm more of a believer I'm not because I do think that there are a lot of credible people who have come forward, but I have to see it for myself," said Dana Raymond.
For many its hard to believe in what Charlie Raymond tracks, despite his critics Raymond has no doubt Bigfoot is out there.
So you might ask what does Charlie Raymond hope to accomplish in tracking Bigfoot? He says he is working to prove it exists to one day go to our state legislators and establish laws to protect them. - WKYT
Phantoms & Monsters: Cryptid Encounters
Bigfoot in Kentucky
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Woman dies after beating by witch doctor trying to remove 'djinn'
A man who said he was a 'djinn healer' is accused of causing the death of a woman after beating her to release evil spirits she believed were trapped in her body.
Al Ain Criminal Court was told the Arab man, who claimed he could treat people who are possessed by djinns, hit the Emirati woman across her body with a stick. It is claimed he beat her so severely she died.
Prosecutors said the woman had been taken to see the witch doctor by her brother and a female friend. The brother and friend also face charges.
“Investigations show that the man beat the woman using a ‘special’ stick as part of his treatment for healing djinns,” prosecutors said. Officials added that after the woman returned home following the beatings, her condition deteriorated and she was taken to hospital where she later died.
A forensic report confirmed that the Emirati sustained injuries from the beatings, which affected her respiratory system and caused internal bleeding leading to her death.
Prosecutors charged the ‘healer’ with assault leading to death. The woman’s brother and friend are charged with assisting because they took her to the man.
The alleged djinn healer was also charged with breach of public morals of Muslims for claiming that he cures people suffering from djinns by using the Quran.
All the three defendants have denied charges. The lawyer of the victim’s brother argued that the woman suffered from an illness and took many prescription drugs, which might have caused her death.
“These medicines affect white blood cells and cause bruising and internal bleeding. They also have negative effects on a person’s liver and the digestive system,” argued the lawyer.
He also presented medical documents supporting his argument and refuted claims that his client was involved in taking his sister to the man for treatment.
The case was adjourned. - 7 Days in Dubai
The Djinn Connection: The Hidden Links Between Djinn, Shadow People, ETs, Nephilim, Archons, Reptilians and Other Entities
The Vengeful Djinn: Unveiling the Hidden Agenda of Genies
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