Luna 21 and Lunokhod 2 Q&A with Richard Garriott

Alice Gorman and I had a fascinating conversation with Richard Garriott through Twitter last night about his privately-owned moon lander and rover – the only privately-owned vehicles on another celestial body. He was happy to answer questions, and the discussion touched on the Google Lunar XPRIZE and his claim over the rover’s tracks. I’ve embedded the key tweets below, not in strict chronological order, but for coherence.

@spacearcheology I am “The only private owner of an object on any other celestial body!” I claim the 40 km track from lander to rover! — Richard Garriott (@RichardGarriott) January 8, 2015

@spacearcheology @glxp Yes, we have discussed XPrize teams visiting. They are welcomed. — Richard Garriott (@RichardGarriott) January 8, 2015

[NASA’s Recommendations to Space-Faring Entities: How to Protect and Preserve the Historic and Scientific Value of U.S. Government Lunar Artifacts]

@spacearcheology @glxp Only that we agree on an economic bi directional trade, thus solidifying both our trades through lunar commerce. — Richard Garriott (@RichardGarriott) January 8, 2015

@AvatarAcid @spacearcheology @glxp We have discussed trade, pay me for access and I will pay for photos, trade solidifies claims. — Richard Garriott (@RichardGarriott) January 8, 2015

@spacearcheology @glxp Goal is not level of value but to establish trade between private owners of lunar territory & assets. — Richard Garriott (@RichardGarriott) January 8, 2015

@drspacejunk @spacearcheology I believed the 1st private ownership off earth was historically significant. Only time I have bid live! — Richard Garriott (@RichardGarriott) January 8, 2015

@drspacejunk @spacearcheology Spent similar amount on legal briefs to analyze the rationale and viability of ownership claim of trackway. — Richard Garriott (@RichardGarriott) January 8, 2015

@drspacejunk @spacearcheology Brief has rationales for owning lander/rover, dirt they’re on, soil tilled by wheels & land surveyed by camera — Richard Garriott (@RichardGarriott) January 8, 2015

@drspacejunk @spacearcheology I would likely argue my vehicles and site are in active use. Perhaps thus not “archeological”. — Richard Garriott (@RichardGarriott) January 8, 2015

@drspacejunk @spacearcheology Important note, my rover is not “junk” rather mirrors still in use as reflectors for earth/moon measurement. — Richard Garriott (@RichardGarriott) January 8, 2015

@drspacejunk @spacearcheology Numerous observatories shine lasers at the mirrors and time the return off my mirrors, to measure distance. — Richard Garriott (@RichardGarriott) January 8, 2015

@drspacejunk @spacearcheology UN already supports ownership/control of orbital positions of sats if they are in use like mine — Richard Garriott (@RichardGarriott) January 8, 2015

@drspacejunk @spacearcheology I would be happy to see their tracks, would trade for access or salvage as commerce helps claims. — Richard Garriott (@RichardGarriott) January 8, 2015

@drspacejunk @spacearcheology I know of no agreed treaty that interferes with our claims or commerce. Not sure then what asymmetry you mean. — Richard Garriott (@RichardGarriott) January 8, 2015

@drspacejunk @spacearcheology Blocking Government claims – ratified. Blocking Private ownership – not ratified by all spacefaring nations. — Richard Garriott (@RichardGarriott) January 8, 2015