[mryan]

> How does the government merely name a number out of thin air and the company now has to pay it?

Presumably it is not a random number, but is calculated based on factors like the company's revenue. A $250k fine would kill most small businesses. Google/Apple could pay it indefinitely without breaking a sweat. So it makes sense to me that the fine has a very wide range depending on the situation.

> Can the government just declare the moon to be their property tomorrow?

No. The United Nations Outer Space Treaty prevents nations from claiming the moon as territory (although the US could withdraw from this treaty, wait one year, and then claim the moon).

> How would they enforce the delivery of these funds?

The same way they enforce collection of taxes. Bank accounts can be frozen, property can be seized, perhaps corporate leaders could be arrested for brazenly ignoring an order to pay.