The authors agree with these expert evaluations, but conclude that there is a need now and in the next century for some coordinated, space governance mechanism which will provide infrastructure funding beyond national tax bases. But that unless the existing, so-called "Moon Treaty" is amended or replaced, private investment in space industrialization will be thwarted and lunar development postponed. This is especially relevant to those who would builds Solar Power Satellites or create a Lunar Power System on the Moon! Currently the Moon Agreement of 1979 is up for review in 1994 within the United Nations. If readers agree with the position outlined below, then we urge them to communicate on the matter with Ken Hodgkins at the U. S. State Department (2101 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20520 USA), as well as with Nandasiri Jasentuliyana, Director of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (Rm. F-832, Vienna International Centre, PO Box 500, A-1400, Vienna, Austria; FAX: 43-1-211-31-4951). Why change the Moon agreement Today, outer space is not recognized as a legal territory subject to governance by any nation. Instead it is treated like the high seas so all persons will have the absolute right of innocent passage. This is the "open space political model," currently dominant in space policy and administration worldwide. This approach is viewed as a legal way to protect and preserve space for humanity under the concept, Common Heritage of Mankind (C.H.O.M.) [1] "The Outer Space Treaty on Principles Governing Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies" (1967), asserts that, "The exploration and use of outer space. . . shall be the province of all mankind" [3]. This idea and similar wording has persisted in subsequent conventions and international space or related agreements, including: • The Agreement on the Rescue and Return of Astronauts, and Return of Objects Launched in Outer Space, 1968 • The Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects, 1972 • The Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space, 1976 • The Agreement Governing Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, 1979 • The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982 Although the U.S.A, and the former U.S.S.R signed the first four treaties mentioned above, they did not sign the 1979 one because of confusion over the "common heritage" language in the document, and concern over its impact on future development of lunar resources. Interestingly, fifteen years after the proposal, only eight nations (Australia, Austria, Chile, Mexico, The Netherlands, Pakistan, The Philippines, and
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