NASA hopes that it will be common with lunar missions in the future, but to avoid predation and other deviations , clearer rules are needed, according to the organization . Earlier this year, NASA therefore developed a standard of conduct, Artemis Accords , which they hope will have an international impact.
Now the first step to that has been taken with eight nations signing Artemis Accords. The United States, Canada, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, Australia, the United Arab Emirates and Luxembourg have signed the agreement. According to NASA, several other nations will also be in the process of signing.
The goal is to get an international agreement that regulates the use and exploration of the moon and outer space so that all of humanity gets a share of the benefits. The agreement will also reduce the risk of misunderstandings and disagreements that could otherwise prevent space exploration and the use of resources there.
In order for Artemis Accords to have full effect, the two major space nations China and Russia must, of course, sign. Here, American politics is putting some sticks in the wheel right now. But here, as I said, we focus on the positive and now we at least have a proposal that everyone can take a stand on. And when the political winds turn, we can hopefully get a space agreement where everyone agrees on how space exploration should take place to benefit all of humanity.
Now there is already an international agreement in the form of The Outer Space Treaty. But it is intentionally rather vaguely written, which allows for many different interpretations. The Artemis Treaty will provide a more detailed description of what is allowed and what is not. NASA hopes that this clarity will make more nations, organizations and companies want to invest in space exploration.
Artemis is also the name of NASA’s new lunar program and there is of course a connection.
– Artemis will be the broadest and most international human space program in our history and Artemis Accords is the tool that will enable a global coalition. With today’s signature, we unite all partners to explore the moon and to define important principles that will create a secure, peaceful and successful future that all of humanity can enjoy, says NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine.
