Amy Mullins is joined by Professor of Philosophy A. C. Grayling for a deep examination of his new book, Who Owns The Moon? In Defence of Humanity’s Common Interests in Space.

With rare earths and natural resources that are essential for future technology from microprocessors to EV batteries running out on the Earth – humanity is now looking towards its closest solar neighbours for future resources. Moving away from the question of should we harness these resources, A. C. Grayling instead asks 'who' should access these natural resources, what rules are required to govern its use, and what they owe to the denizens of planet Earth.

“What we are actually trembling on the brink of at the moment is humanity in the form of Chinese and private entrepreneurs now taking possession of the moon and space beyond the moon, shaping how things will happen out there – unconstrained by any really serious mature-minded, robust and enforceable set of agreements of how they should behave out there.

And so we’ve just stepped out of the front door of our house and found a complete wild west.”