NASA wants to frame international space exploration with Artemis

International space station program

Space exploration has been in a state of flux in recent years. Today, we have to deal with private companies and the time is now for the internationalization of missions, more than ever. To do this, a defined framework must be set.

What is the purpose of the international space station (ISS)

NASA is fully aware that it will have to work with space agencies in other countries as well as private companies to establish a human presence on the Moon. It is precisely in this context that it has just introduced a set of directives under the name of Artemis Agreements for organisations wishing to participate in the Artemis programme. It aims to send men and women to the Moon by 2024.

NASA unveils outline of its Artemis Agreements

NASA says the Artemis Accords are there to “establish a common set of principles to govern the exploration and civilian use of distant space.” As US Space Agency Administrator Jim Bridenstine explained during a briefing, this will serve as a basis for bilateral agreements with other countries, so that potential partners can know what awaits them if they decide to commit to the Artemis programme. And to be precise, NASA is already working with other countries on the design of the Lunar Gateway. As Today US notes, the Accords focus on nations that wish to conduct activities in Space.

International Space Station Program (ISS)

The agency shared the outline of these Agreements on its website, starting with the prerequisites that participants will have to meet to carry out their activities. Activities that should have only a peaceful objective. Artemis partners will also need to be fully transparent about their goals, use international open standards or develop new ones – to facilitate interoperability – and plan for the recovery and treatment of orbital debris from the outset. Partner nations will also need to commit to providing assistance to astronauts in distress where appropriate and to publicize the scientific data they collect. They must also promise to collect the resources of the Moon, Mars and any other celestial body in accordance with the Space Treaty. The Agreements clearly emphasize certain Articles of the Treaty, including that which states that the Moon and the other celestial bodies are not “subject to any national appropriation by asserting sovereignty, by occupying the celestial body or by any other means.”

Agreements to frame international collaboration for space exploration

Jim Bridenstine said, “I want to see private companies go to the Moon. I want to see international partners join us in the Artemis program. I want to see private companies and NASA go to Mars. And to achieve this goal, we must establish the strict prerequisites that will be necessary to be able to go on these other planetary bodies.”  full-width