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Tesla Shot To Mars Was Warning About Elon Musk’s Irresponsibility, Says Space Law Expert
Elon Musk’s recent stunt of launching a cherry-red Tesla Roadster into space with a dummy driver named “Starman” has been deemed a reckless and irresponsible move by a leading space law expert.
According to Thomas Cheney, a Vice Chancellors Research Fellow in Law at the University of Northumbria at Newcastle upon Tyne, England, this ill-conceived action highlights Musk’s lack of concern for the well-being of our planet and its potential consequences. The Tesla Roadster’s journey into space serves as a warning sign about what kind of person Elon Musk is.
“This launch highlights that it was irresponsible of the United States to authorize the launch,” Cheney emphasizes. “Launching things into outer space should be done responsibly and for clear-cut justifiable purposes, not on the whims of a billionaire.”
Cheney believes that this action could potentially cause issues beyond simply annoying people in the long run. While there may only be a 6% chance that the car will collide with Earth within the next one million years, it is crucial to prioritize responsible and ethical practices when engaging with space governance.
The space law expert asserts that under the Liability Convention and the Outer Space Treaty, Musk could potentially face consequences if his Tesla Roadster causes damage to another human-made object or even re-enters the atmosphere and causes harm on Earth. However, it’s unlikely that Musk will be held accountable for this reckless act as there is a lack of clear definition in international law regarding what constitutes “fault” in these situations.
Furthermore, Cheney notes that the risk of contamination if the Tesla Roadster lands on another celestial body remains unclear, but it seems improbable that anyone would have standing to take legal action against Musk or his company SpaceX and the US government.
In essence, this ill-conceived stunt serves as a warning about the character of Elon Musk and his commitment to responsible practices in space governance.
Source: http://www.forbes.com
