| From 1969 to 1972 NASA's Apollo Program successfully completed six separate manned lunar landings. Since 1972 there has been no human presence on the Moon. The lunar landing sites of Apollo's 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17 have sat in situ for forty years in the absolute zero vacuum of outer space. As the next phase of lunar exploration draws closer, it is important to protect the Apollo Lunar Landing Sites from exploration and damage because of their importance to human cultural heritage. This thesis assesses the international treaties that govern outer space, the Moon, and other celestial bodies and interprets whether they allow for the legal protection of human archeological sites in extraterrestrial settings. This thesis explains that is it not impossible, however extremely complicated to protect the Apollo Lunar Landing Sites because of these international laws. However, preservation on a national level is legally possible and explained in detail. |
