Artemis Accords

Artemis Accords

News: Recently, India signed the Artemis Accord. It demonstrates India’s commitment to following best practices in space exploration.

What are Artemis Accords?
• The Artemis Accords are a non-binding multilateral arrangement between the United States and other world governments participating in the Artemis program, an American-led effort to return humans to the Moon by 2025, with the ultimate goal of expanding space exploration to Mars and beyond.
• The Accords establish a framework for cooperation in the civil exploration and peaceful use of theMoon, Mars, and other astronomical objects.
• They are based on the principles of the United Nations Outer Space Treaty of 1967 and other international conventions on space law.

When was it signed and which countries are part of it?
• The Accords were signed on 13 October 2020 by representatives of the national space agencies of eight countries - Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.
• As of June 23, 2023, 27 countries and one territory have signed the accords. The latest signatories are India and Ecuador. 

What are the main principles of Artemis Accords?
Principles
• All activities to be conducted for Peaceful purposes
• Transparency
• Interoperability
• Emergency assistance
• Registration of space objects
• Release of scientific data
• Preserving outer space heritage
• Safe disposal of Orbital debris
• Deconfliction of space activities

Why is joining Artemis accords significant for India?
• It will help enhance its cooperation with other countries on lunar exploration and beyond, and to access global supply chain, investment capital, and critical space technologies.
• It will provide boost to our Chandrayaan program and the private space sector in India, and to leverage the expertise and experience of NASA and other partners.
• To contribute to the development of international practices and standards for space resources extraction and utilization, and to ensure that such activities are in accordance with the Outer Space Treaty.
• To participate in the Artemis program activities, such as sending Indian astronauts to the International Space Station by 2024, and to prepare for future human missions to Mars and beyond.