Federal Aviation Administration and Bigelow Aerospace

Bigelow Aerospace: According to documents obtained by Reuters, U.S. companies can stake claims to lunar territory through an existing licensing process for space launches. Mars, the moon and other off-Earth spots for space tourists , according to Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. In other words, experts said, Bigelow could set up one of its proposed inflatable habitats on the moon, and expect to have exclusive rights to that territory - as well as related areas that might be tapped for mining, exploration and other activities. U.S. company build $18M inflatable room for space station The United States government has taken a new, though preliminary, step to encourage commercial development of the moon. The Federal Aviation Administration, in a previously undisclosed late-December letter to Bigelow Aerospace, said the agency intends to "leverage the FAA existing launch licensing authority to encourage private sector investments in space systems by ensuring that commercial activities can be conducted on a non-interference basis." 'We recognize the private sector need to protect its assets and personnel on the moon or on other celestial bodies.' - FAA letter to Bigelow Aerospace (news.financializer.com). As reported in the news.