Colonization of the Moon

NASA concept art of an envisioned lunar mining facility

Colonization of the Moon is a process^[1] or concept employed by some proposals for robotic^[2]^[3] or human exploitation and settlement endeavours on the Moon. Settling of the Moon is, therefore, a more specific concept of lunar habitation, for which the broader concept of colonization is often used as a synonym, a use that is contested in the light of colonialism.^[4]

Laying claim to the Moon has been declared illegal through international space law and no state has made such claims,^[5] despite having a range of probes and artificial remains on the Moon.

While a range of proposals for missions of lunar colonization, exploitation or permanent exploration have been raised, current projects for establishing permanent crewed presence on the Moon are not for colonizing the Moon, but rather focus on building moonbases for exploration and to a lesser extent for exploitation of lunar resources.

The commercialization of the Moon is a contentious issue for national and international lunar regulation and laws (such as the Moon treaty).^[6]

^ Marc Ferro (1997). Colonization. Routledge. p. 1. doi:10.4324/9780203992586. ISBN 9780203992586."Colonization is associated with the occupation of a foreign land, with its being brought under cultivation, with the settlement of colonists. If this definition of the term “colony” is used, the phenomenon dates from the Greek period. Likewise we speak of Athenian, then Roman 'imperialism'."
^ "Japan vs. NASA in the Next Space Race: Lunar Robonauts". Fast Company. May 28, 2010. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
^ "SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORATION RESEARCH". Retrieved August 11, 2017.
^ Wall, Mike (October 25, 2019). "Bill Nye: It's Space Settlement, Not Colonization". Space.com. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
^ Rothwell, Donald R.; Saunders, Imogen (July 25, 2019). "Does a US flag on the Moon amount to a claim of sovereignty under law?". Lowy Institute. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
^ Davies, Rob (February 6, 2016). "Asteroid mining could be space's new frontier: the problem is doing it legally". The Guardian.

[1] Marc Ferro (1997). Colonization. Routledge. p. 1. doi:10.4324/9780203992586. ISBN 9780203992586."Colonization is associated with the occupation of a foreign land, with its being brought under cultivation, with the settlement of colonists. If this definition of the term “colony” is used, the phenomenon dates from the Greek period. Likewise we speak of Athenian, then Roman 'imperialism'."

[2] "Japan vs. NASA in the Next Space Race: Lunar Robonauts". Fast Company. May 28, 2010. Retrieved June 12, 2015.

[3] "SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORATION RESEARCH". Retrieved August 11, 2017.

[Wall_2019-4] Wall, Mike (October 25, 2019). "Bill Nye: It's Space Settlement, Not Colonization". Space.com. Retrieved June 14, 2023.

[Rothwell_Saunders_2019-5] Rothwell, Donald R.; Saunders, Imogen (July 25, 2019). "Does a US flag on the Moon amount to a claim of sovereignty under law?". Lowy Institute. Retrieved November 9, 2021.

[Davies-6] Davies, Rob (February 6, 2016). "Asteroid mining could be space's new frontier: the problem is doing it legally". The Guardian.

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