HOT TAKE: No one owns the moon

The question of who owns the moon is answered by international treaties that designate celestial bodies as the common heritage of humankind, prohibiting national ownership. Countries assert sovereignty over their airspace up to the Karman line, an imaginary boundary 100 kilometers above sea level. Beyond this line, outer space begins, and no nation can claim dominion.

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no one owns the space as it belongs to the entire humankind

The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 explicitly states that outer space is not subject to national appropriation. The Moon Agreement of 1979 further elaborates on this, applying its principles to the moon and other celestial bodies. This agreement mandates that the moon be used exclusively for peaceful purposes, forbidding military bases, weapons testing, or nuclear deployments. It also establishes the moon as a common province for all mankind, with exploration intended to benefit all countries.

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the moon must be used only for peaceful purposes; no threat or use of military bases, weapons testing or nuclear weapon deployments are permitted

While nations are permitted to collect mineral samples for scientific research and establish stations, the Moon Agreement prevents lunar colonization due to the prohibition of ownership. Notably, major spacefaring nations such as the United States, China, and Russia are not signatories to this agreement. However, their absence does not negate the fundamental principle that the moon is shared property, visible and reflective to all of humanity, with no single nation able to assert exclusive rights.

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the moon is a common province of mankind and its exploration shall be carried out to benefit all the countries