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If you’ve ever dreamed of owning land in outer space on a planet like Pluto, you’re in the right place to learn whether that’s possible or not.
Nobody can buy land or property on Pluto legally. It’s claimed to be possible by some companies on the internet, but the US government has explicitly stated that owning land in space is not allowed because of various space treaties. Pluto is also inhabitable.
In this article, we'll dive into the challenges of buying land on Pluto and discuss the factors that make it nearly impossible and what the future might hold for humankind's interaction with this fascinating celestial body. Keep reading to learn more.
Key Takeaways
- Nobody can legally purchase land on Pluto.
- Pluto is a dwarf planet with rugged terrain and no life.
- Pluto has as much land mass as the country of Russia does.
Table of Contents
Can I Buy Land On Pluto? (Is It Possible)
I discovered that you couldn't legally buy land on Pluto from Earth. This would violate numerous space treaties that were implemented to protect space from explorers.
There have been companies that sell land on Pluto and other celestial bodies, but these claims are not recognized by any established government or international organization.
The reason behind this is that according to the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, no country can claim ownership or sovereignty over any part of outer space, including Pluto, which applies to governments and private entities.
So, while it's an intriguing idea to own a piece of the distant dwarf planet, it is not legally possible at this time. Plots of land on planet Pluto can be purchased, but we would not recommend buying from these companies.
Policy On Ownership Of Celestial Bodies
There is no legal way to buy actual land on Pluto, so we advise you to avoid anybody (like Lunar Embassy) that claims to be selling land here. The entire dwarf planet is off limits for land ownership and the rest of the solar system.
The same is true for the moon, Kuiper belt objects, etc. This is mostly because of the Outer Space Treaty and the Moon Agreement.
Outer Space Treaty
I learned that according to the Outer Space Treaty which forms the basis of international space law, no nation can claim sovereignty over any celestial bodies, including Pluto.
The treaty states that owning land is not allowed and everybody is legally allowed to explore these areas for equal benefit. Basically, outer space is considered a common heritage, and no one can "own" it.
Moon Agreement
Another aspect I found interesting is the Moon Agreement. Although not as widely ratified as the Outer Space Treaty, this agreement further elaborates on the provisions of the Outer Space Treaty, emphasizing that the moon and other celestial bodies should only be used for peaceful purposes.
The Moon Agreement details the following:
- The environment of celestial bodies should not be disrupted
- Activities on celestial bodies should be reported to the United Nations
- Sharing of benefits derived from space activities with less developed countries
- Establishment of an international regime that would govern the exploitation of celestial resources
While it is fascinating to think about buying land on Pluto or any celestial body, international agreements created to promote cooperation and peace in space exploration prevent anyone from owning or claiming these celestial bodies.
Is It Possible To Live On Pluto?
To begin with, it's essential to understand that Pluto is a small and remote dwarf planet, only about two-thirds as wide as Earth's moon, with a surface area similar to Russia.
The gravity on Pluto is much weaker, just one-fifteenth of Earth's. In this environment, I'd weigh only 10 pounds. Now, regarding the living conditions, Pluto's environment is incredibly harsh with a tenuous atmosphere.
It has a thin atmosphere that wouldn't provide me with sufficient oxygen to breathe. Moreover, the temperatures on Pluto are freezing, dropping as low as -375 degrees Fahrenheit. I don't know about you, but I'm not built to withstand that level of cold.
Nevertheless, it's intriguing to know that Pluto might meet some basic requirements for habitability. It has a warm interior, organic molecules on its surface, and a probable subsurface ocean. While these factors could potentially support some form of life, they're not ideal for human habitation.
If I were to try living on Pluto, I'd need advanced technology and life support systems to survive. Here are some necessary requirements:
- Airtight habitats with breathable air
- Heating systems to combat the frigid temperatures
- Radiation protection due to the weak atmosphere
- Food cultivation and water recycling systems
Although it's an interesting thought experiment to consider living on Pluto, it's not currently possible for humans like me to survive there without significant technological advancements and support systems in place.
How Much Land Is On Pluto?
When I first learned about Pluto, I was astonished at how small this dwarf planet actually is in comparison to Earth. If you consider its size, the land area on Pluto is surprisingly limited.
The diameter of Pluto is about 2,377 kilometers, while Earth has a diameter of 12,742 kilometers. As mentioned, Pluto's land area is roughly the same as the land area of Russia.
While researching Pluto's land area, I saw some fascinating geographical features worth noting. Pluto has the tallest mountains that range from 6,500 to 9,800 feet tall! Interestingly, these mountains are huge blocks of water ice, sometimes coated with frozen gasses like methane.
Additionally, this dwarf planet has long troughs and valleys, with some extending up to 370 miles in length. Pluto also has moons, unlike many other moons in space. They are not tidally locked and spin differently.
However, buying land on Pluto is not as easy or realistic as some might hope. Although there are websites that claim to sell land on Pluto, it's crucial to understand that such claims are more of a novelty item rather than an actual legitimate purchase.
There is no legal or recognized authority for owning land on Pluto or any other celestial body at the moment. In short, Pluto has a limited land area and fascinating terrain features, but unfortunately, owning a piece of it is impossible.
Is There Life On Pluto?
I found that the surface of this dwarf planet is extremely cold. Because of this, it seems highly unlikely that any life, as we know it, could thrive there. The frigid temperatures would cause water, which is essential for life, to become rock-like.
However, an interesting fact I discovered is that Pluto's interior is warmer. There are speculations that an ocean could even exist deep inside this distant planet. It made me think that perhaps some form of life might have a chance in a more temperate environment like that.
Currently, no known organism could survive such conditions. So, while the possibility of life on Pluto remains a fascinating topic for exploration, I have found no concrete evidence that life exists there.
About THE AUTHOR
Brittany Melling
Brittany has been in the land business since 2020 when the world was starting to shut down. Since then, we’ve sold to dozens of people from ATV weekend warriors to camping enthusiasts to retired truck drivers. Our inventory spans mostly in the western United States. We’ve been trained by experience, land acquisition courses, and hundreds of hours meeting with county assessors and clerks, zoning officials, realtors, and land investors. We’ve answered hundreds of questions from people regarding the buying and use of land.
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