New Mars Forums

The Starlink terms of service:
"For Services provided on Mars, or in transit to Mars via Starship or other colonization spacecraft, the parties recognize Mars as a free planet and that no Earth-based government has authority or sovereignty over Martian activities. Accordingly, Disputes will be settled through self-governing principles, established in good faith, at the time of Martian settlement."

What do you think about it? I would like a free planet, no Earth-based government authority and self-governing principles. At face value this seems to align with my philosophy.

From a legal and sceptical perspective these terms tell a totally different story. Earth-based governments never had sovereignty or authority in space but as long as you're on a US spacecraft US laws apply. A dispute over anything subject to US law can be brought to court, regardless if or when Mars will be settled.
Only when in space but outside a US spaceship US law isn't applicable. In this case a contract stating "Disputes will be settled through self-governing principles, established in good faith, at the time of Martian settlement" has no value at all because it can't be enforced. And besides, you should settle when your opponent is the only one able to transport you to/from this desolate place.

Suggesting 'customers' (independent envoys of mankind) of Starship (or other colonization spacecraft) can establish a self-governing (sovereign) party simply is a provocation. I think this is a publicity stunt and they hope to expose flaws in the system as a benefit.

Terms: https://www.reddit.com/r/Starlink/comme … f_service/
Decent article where I found the link to Reddit: https://www.inverse.com/innovation/spac … ree-planet