[transhumanist]

The President's Commission on Moon, Mars and Beyond says that lack of private property rights will strangle any nascent space industry in the cradle. I would agree that the lack of private property rights is further guaranteed since the signing of the 196 UN Outer Space Treaty.

(It's 1967; no bad on the typo.) That is indeed a significant hurdle to overcome. Or is it? just how difficult is it to withdraw from a treaty? I think it could be as simple as saying "we withdraw from the treaty". (China did sign in 1983, I note.)

On the plus side, Congress did pass the Space Tourism Bill, which is a HUGE step forward. Small steps...

[RightWhale]

We won't withdraw from the 1967 Treaty. We should. There will be no private development of outer space. The State will not allow it until the State is firmly in charge in the new territory. We won't see it this century or next--it's nearly too late anyway. Seek enjoyment from the particle of land on earth the State allows the citizen to own.