Space

Who owns the land surface of Mars?

Does the US claim it is we're the first to reliably be able to go there?

Who owns the land surface of Mars?

Does the US claim it is we're the first to reliably be able to go there?

https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1837908705683059166

Ownership is almost exclusively about proximity, even down here on Earth. This effect is amplified like a million times when somewhere as remote as Mars. Whoever goes there first, the *people* will be the owners, no matter what governments, corporations, or erratic billionaires have to say about it.

Until the guys with really large guns pull up

Well sure, but then they've got proximity as well 😄

That's true, but even armed forces coming to retake some distant claim have a history of defecting and joining up with the locals once they arrive, though maybe taking some sort of leadership position as well.

Many of the intuitive norms we have about power and control break down at a distance, and it's always fun to see.

Yeah lol. Just pointing out ownership relies on you having the means to protect your claim.

If an individual is physically claiming Martian soil before any nation state (probably for some very good reason), I’m guessing they will come knocking soon. Opportunity would be too great to miss