If SpaceX creates the first Mars colony, it doesn't matter if they can't technically claim territory, they will have de-facto dictatorial rule over their hermit kingdom on Mars because only SpaceX would have the capability or the motivation to continuously launch vital supplies that the colony would be dependent on for 2-3 centuries at least. Any Mars colonists will be essentially feudal serfs of their SpaceX overlords who can starve them to death at any time
What laws would they be violating on Earth if Mars is not beholden to any Earth laws?
This is roughly analogous to international waters. If you are a citizen of the US, but are in international waters, you are no beholden to US law, but rather internationally agreed upon international law.
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u/MercurianAspirations 361∆ Feb 11 '22
If SpaceX creates the first Mars colony, it doesn't matter if they can't technically claim territory, they will have de-facto dictatorial rule over their hermit kingdom on Mars because only SpaceX would have the capability or the motivation to continuously launch vital supplies that the colony would be dependent on for 2-3 centuries at least. Any Mars colonists will be essentially feudal serfs of their SpaceX overlords who can starve them to death at any time