Artemis accords Flashcards
Artemis Accords: Overview
Established by the U.S. State Department and NASA in 2020, the Artemis Accords set forth common principles for the civil exploration and use of outer space, including the Moon, Mars, comets, and asteroids, for peaceful purposes.
Legal Foundation of Artemis Accords
The Accords build on the foundation laid by the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which emphasizes space as a shared resource for humanity, prohibits national appropriation, and promotes the peaceful use of space.
India and the Artemis Accords
India is the 27th country to sign the non-binding Artemis Accords. The founding members include Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.
Commitment to Peaceful Purposes
Signatories will conduct space activities for peaceful purposes in accordance with international law, through memoranda of understanding (MOUs) between governments or agencies.
Common Infrastructure for Space Exploration
The Accords emphasize the importance of shared exploration infrastructure to enhance scientific discovery and commercial use.
Registration and Data Sharing
Space objects must be registered, and scientific data should be openly shared. Private sectors are exempt unless acting on behalf of a signatory.
Preservation of Space Heritage
Historic landing sites and artifacts on celestial bodies are to be preserved to maintain space heritage for future generations.
Utilization of Space Resources
Resource utilization should support safe and sustainable activities and not interfere with other signatories’ activities. Information on location and nature must be shared to prevent interference.
Mitigation of Space Debris
Plans should be in place for the safe disposal of spacecraft and the reduction of harmful debris to ensure sustainable space operations.
Main Missions Under the Artemis Program
Artemis-I (2022) - Unmanned mission testing Orion spacecraft.\nArtemis-II (2024) - First crewed mission for lunar flyby.\nArtemis-III (2025) - First astronaut landing on the Moon since Apollo missions.\nLunar Gateway (2029) - Planned space station for long-term lunar exploration.
Benefits of Artemis Accords for India
Access to advanced training and technological advancements, enhanced scientific research opportunities with NASA, support for India’s lunar exploration (Chandrayaan-3), and potential boosts for Gaganyaan and future human space missions.
