Should SpaceX have PMC forces accompany its missions to Mars?

originally posted by: Montana

originally posted by: Grimpachi
trade? Is there anything of value there that can't be found in asteroids?

A - relatively- heavy gravity field for one thing...

Something we haven't even come close to being able to do without for extended periods.

Spinning large cylinders will give a close effect of gravity. Mars may become an industrial haven one day but the quality of life is sure to suck IMO.

If humans ever make it to Mars, they're all on their own no matter what. It's not like they are still part of the labor force, having to worry about maintaining their high job standards or working toward that sweet retirement. They're done. They've already retired. There would be nothing for them to do, so they better have a wider range of skills than just being able to carry a rifle. They don't have to worry about attacks from the indigenous locals.

So any paramilitary force will just be ordinary Mars citizens like everybody else -- telling Earth to flip off -- and they'll join the rest of everybody else and die after a few years from lack of air, blood clots from low gravity, contaminated water or no water, radiation, whatever.

originally posted by: dubiousatworst
So overall, if Space X were to colonize Mars, they would do so under US government oversight baring a new treaty and changes to the OST.

Exactly, and the US would be responsible for their actions.

originally posted by: ArMaP
Exactly, and the US would be responsible for their actions.

Once a spacecraft gets past the Moon, the US is no longer liable.

originally posted by: Blue Shift
Once a spacecraft gets past the Moon, the US is no longer liable.

Wrong, article VI of the Outer Space Treaty says the opposite.

States party to the Treaty shall bear international responsibility for national activities in outer space, including the Moon and other celestial objects, whether such activities are carried on by governmental agencies or by non-governmental entities, and for assuring that any national activities are carried out in conformity with the provisions set forth in the present Treaty. The activities of non-governmental entities in outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies shall require authorization and continual supervision by the appropriate State Party to the Treaty When activities are carried on in outer space, including the Moon and other celestial objects, by an international organization , responsibility for compliance with this Treaty shall be borne both by the international organization and by the States Party to the Treaty participating in such organization.

originally posted by: ArMaP
Wrong, article VI of the Outer Space Treaty says the opposite.

Just a piece of paper. Treaties, like any other laws, mean nothing without the ability to enforce them.

However, it does open up the market for jobs equivalent to the Texas Rangers, who would ride around dealing out rough justice to horse thieves, bushwhackers and various other scalawags in the unincorporated territories of the Old West. Illegal diamond mining on Ceres? Nuking Venus to create a nuclear winter? Not in my neck of the solar system, compadre!

originally posted by: Blue Shift

originally posted by: ArMaP
Wrong, article VI of the Outer Space Treaty says the opposite.

Just a piece of paper. Treaties, like any other laws, mean nothing without the ability to enforce them.

True, but the fact is that the US is still liable for the actions of US persons and companies.

a reply to: AnakinWayneII

Per international agreements no country can claim celestial bodies for any one nation.

The ISS and the international research stations in Antarctica are subject to the laws of the countries they are from. When there is a criminal conflict between different nationalities they fall back to the Antarctica treaty system, which all members are a partner in.

The same setup for space is present.

originally posted by: ArMaP

originally posted by: Blue Shift

originally posted by: ArMaP
Wrong, article VI of the Outer Space Treaty says the opposite.

Just a piece of paper. Treaties, like any other laws, mean nothing without the ability to enforce them.

True, but the fact is that the US is still liable for the actions of US persons and companies.

Well, if a US rocket blows up Phobos and the US ends up paying for it, I owe you a Coke.

originally posted by: Xcathdra
The same setup for space is present.

Except the enforcement part, like I said.

a reply to: Blue Shift