Crimes Committed On Moon Could Be Punishable By Canadian Law

Astronaut in space giving thumbs up, cosmonaut floating above planet Earth, 3D render

Photo: Getty Images

On Thursday, Canada proposed an amendment to its criminal code, which would allow for the prosecution of crimes committed by Canadian astronauts during three off-Earth scenarios: while traveling to the moon, from the moon, and when they're on the glowing orb itself. 

Here's how the country's newly proposed code reads, "A Canadian crew member who, during a space flight, commits an act or omission outside Canada that if committed in Canada would constitute an indictable offense is deemed to have committed that act or omission in Canada."

Underneath this clause, it specifies that the rule applies to crimes committed "on, or in relation to, a flight element of the Lunar Gateway; on any means of transportation to or from the lunar gateway; or on the surface of the moon." 

What does all this mean? Basically, it just means moon explorers from Canada better be on their best behavior. No loitering near a cool crater, littering freeze-dried ice cream wrappers on moon rocks and definitely no stealing from a vulnerable alien, if you find one. Lunar lawlessness is a thing of the past.

Canada's criminal code already includes crimes committed by astronauts onboard the International Space Station as punishable by Canadian law, but it's notable that the country's newly proposed amendment includes moon-related crimes in particular. It might have something to do with the fact that Artemis II will have a Canadian astronaut onboard, though there's no official statement to support such a claim.

Link: CNET


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