Decision on ownership of outer space material grounded in court

Here’s a lawsuit that’s out of this world: a woman in Tennessee filed a lawsuit in federal court this month against the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, claiming that a vial of moon dust man-on-the-moon Neil Armstrong gave to her late father as a gift is hers and they cannot have it.

The lawsuit, widely reported this week, is a pre-emptive strike over the controversy of who owns the moon dust — NASA has not asked for it, but has a longstanding position that all lunar materials belong to the federal agency, according to multiple media outlets.

Laura Murray Cicco’s lawyer told reporters she phoned him a few months ago to ask what she could do to keep her vial of moon dust. “There is no law against private persons owning lunar material," the lawsuit states, according to ABC News. "Lunar material is not contraband. It is not illegal to own or possess," adding “she is the rightful and legal owner of the vial and its contents.”

A NASA spokesman released this statement: “Since the issue has gone to court, it wouldn’t be appropriate for NASA to discuss details related to the claim just yet.”