Sounds more like protecting historical sites instead of land grab. Pretty much same as any protected site on Earth, basicly. Reason why they did it now is said on article: some private people and organisations have declared bounty on who can first send un-manned probe to Moon or take pictures.
I changed accounts.
I hope the State Department buttfucks anyone stupid or callous enough to go near the Moon landing sites...
I am now known as Flyboy.
DUMB
From the document:
[...]
Until more formal USG guidance is developed and perhaps a multilateral approach is developed to reflect various nations’ views on lunar hardware of scientific and historic value, NASA has assembled this document that contains the collected technical knowledge of its personnel – with advice from external experts and potential space-faring entities – and provides interim recommendations for lunar vehicle design and mission planning teams. As such, this document does not represent mandatory USG or international requirements; rather, it is offered to inform lunar spacecraft mission planners interested in helping preserve and protect lunar historic artifacts and potential science opportunities for future missions.
[...]
These recommendations are not legal requirements; rather they are technical recommendations for consideration by interested entities. NASA seeks coordination in advance of lunar activities that would impact NASA artifacts of historic and scientific interest to ensure that all appropriate interests are recognized and protected. NASA recognizes that these recommendations may evolve and welcomes the opportunity to work with foreign space agencies and other entities planning robotic lunar missions.
It then goes on to quote parts of the Outer Space Treaty. So, no, this is not claiming territory by any stretch of the imagination. However, ownership over the actual equipment is asserted.
[1] This facsimile operated in part by synAC.
I think it has to do more with conservation than with anything else.
Still I am sort of happy NASA is taking seriously the possibility of a private company, for example Space "X", of reaching the moon.
edited 23rd Oct '11 10:37:13 AM by Baff
I will always cherish the chance of a new beggining.
Pro-Freedom Fanatic
And NASA plans to enforce that how?
You exist because we allow it and you will end because we demand it.
I changed accounts.
Could drop laser emitters up on the Moon. Keep track of the schedules of flights, and if anybody trips the laser secur—
Wait, fuck, low gravity, that wouldn't work. Hm...
I dunno. ![[lol]](https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/lol2v12_4863.png "[lol]"){kind=small}
^^ With its mighty space fleet of flying saucers, of cour... oh.
edited 23rd Oct '11 3:36:04 PM by Talby
I just noticed that they are only really claiming that the area around Apollo 17 and 11 should be left alone. 
Maybe that is where the Moon Spiders are nesting?
DUMB
What? They name Surveyor within five pages.
There's nothing to enforce. They're just guidelines for people considering landing on the moon who don't want to damage the historic areas there, which is pretty much everybody with enough brains to consider moon landings, for obvious reasons.
[1] This facsimile operated in part by synAC.
I changed accounts.
Indiana Solo
On a more serious note, those spots should be left alone, kinda like how important battlefeilds are (usually) left untouched.
I'm baaaaaaack
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44994619/ns/technology_and_science-space/
Interesting way to get around the Outer Space Treaty - the one that says you can't as a nation claim territory on the Moon.