Artemis Accord

The Artemis Accords, introduced by NASA in 2020, are non-binding guidelines designed to foster international collaboration and responsible exploration of the Moon and beyond. The Accords emphasize adherence to existing space treaties, peaceful exploration, transparency in scientific research, and responsible resource utilization. Key principles include ensuring interoperability among missions, preserving space heritage, and managing space debris. As of June 2024, numerous countries, including Sweden, have joined the Accords, though notable absences include China and Russia. For India, the Accords provide valuable insights and potential collaborations that align with its space ambitions, such as the Gaganyaan mission and Chandrayaan 4. However, challenges include balancing relations with Russia, the non-binding nature of the Accords, and potential conflicts with other space plans like the Chinese-Russian International Lunar Research Station. India’s space collaborations, including missions with NASA, ISRO, and other international partners, highlight its growing role in global space exploration. To leverage the Artemis Accords effectively, India should advocate for binding agreements, increase space funding, foster collaboration, and streamline regulations for private sector involvement.

The Artemis Accords, introduced by NASA in 2020, are a set of international agreements designed to foster collaborative and responsible lunar exploration. Centered on principles derived from the Outer Space Treaty, they promote peaceful cooperation, transparency, and sustainability in space activities. The Accords emphasize interoperability between space missions, responsible resource utilization, and protection of space heritage. By encouraging international partnerships and data sharing, the Artemis Accords aim to ensure that lunar exploration benefits all of humanity while upholding the principles of safety and sustainable development.

• Aim of the Accords: It contains a set of principles and guidelines for the civil exploration and use of the Moon, Mars, comets and asteroids was introduced in 2020 by NASA.
• Signatories: As of June 2024, the following countries have signed the Artemis Accords: Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Peru, Poland, the Republic of Korea, Romania, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
• Slovakia and Armenia were ranked 42nd and 43rd, respectively.
• However, China and Russia have not signed it.
• Artemis Accord is a set of non-binding guidelines that support the Artemis program. It enlists key principles for peaceful and cooperative space exploration:
  • International Rule Based Order
    • Upholding Existing Treaties: Principles set in 1967’s Outer Space Treaty, Rescue and Return Agreement of 1968, 1972’s Liability Convention and 1975’s Registration Convention to be followed.
    • Peaceful Exploration of Space: In line with international law.
    • Helping in Need: There's a commitment to assist astronauts and space personnel in emergencies.
  • Research Collaboration
    • Transparency: Signatories agree to transparency, sharing scientific discoveries openly.
    • Interoperability: Nations will develop compatible systems to ensure safety and sustainability in space.
    • Safety Zones: The Accords aim to prevent harmful interference between space activities and establish safety zones.
  • Responsible use
    • Registration of Space Objects: Agreement on registering spacecraft and other objects to avoid collisions.
    • Preserving Heritage: Signatories are committed to preserving historic sites and artefacts found in space.
    • Utilizing Resources: Space resource exploration is recognized, but transparency to the international community is required.
    • Orbital Debris Management: Planning for safe disposal of space debris and minimizing its creation is a priority.

• Information exchange and access to NASA's Artemis program provide valuable insights for India's own human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan
• Collaborative Research: It opens up space for sharing knowledge with various signatories, joint research and exchange of technology.
  • As India looks towards Chandrayaan 4, Artemis Accords hold key significance in ensuring a successful mission and collection of samples from the Lunar surface for further research.
• Improved Relations with US: These accords signal the improving relations with US
• Indian Space Economy: Improved access for Indian private players in space commercialisation leading to opening up of new markets.

• Delicate Balance: The Artemis Programme camp up parallel to the Chinese- Russian plan for an ‘International Lunar Research Station’ (ILRS) which also seeks to setup a permanent station and lunar constellations. As India has joined the Artemis Accord, it puts it on the other side of its long standing space partner, Russia. India must strike a delicate balance.
• A Mere Political Alignment: It is not a multilateral treaty or contract setting out rules for space exploration. It is merely a non-binding bilateral agreement on political lines between the partner countries.
  Does not Confirm Participation in Program: Signing of the Accord does not mean an automatic partnership in the Artemis Lunar Space Programme. It just signifies a condonation of the US led programme for lunar exploration and a shared worldview on principles.
• Variance between Artemis Accords and Outer Space Treaty:
  • The Artemis Accords say countries can mine Moon resources, but don't own them like the Outer Space Treaty. However, this creates a "first come, first served" situation until clearer rules are made.
  • Creation of ‘safety zones’ by one country to the exclusion of other, even if temporarily, could violate the principle of non-appropriation.

• NISAR: NASA-ISRO Radar Mission to Provide Dynamic View of Forests, Wetlands.
• International Collaboration Training Astronauts:
  • An Indian astronaut will be trained for a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2024 by NASA.
  • Russia is providing crucial training for India's first crewed mission to space, Gaganyaan.
• Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX): India and Japan mission to confirm the presence and quantity of water ice on the Moon.
• Thermal infra-Red Imaging Satellite for High resolution Natural resource Assessment (TRISHNA) Mission: CNES (French Space Agency) and ISRO will use a Thermal Infrared Imaging Satellite to monitor surface temperature and water management on a global scale.

The concept of outer space as a global commons means it's a shared resource for all nations to use for the collective benefit of humanity.

• International safeguards and self restraint from countries is required to ensure careful management of these resources for:
  • Sustainable Use: Resources are taken responsibly to avoid depletion.
  • Fair Sharing: Benefits are distributed equitably among all nations.

• Advocate for Binding Agreement: India can push for the Artemis Accords to become a formal treaty, ensuring stronger international commitment.
• Increase Space Budget: Securing increased government funding is crucial for utilising collaborations like Artemis.
• Foster Collaboration: Overcoming internal resistance to international tie-ups and entering more such accords will unlock knowledge sharing and resource optimization.
• Streamline Regulations: Simplifying regulations will empower Indian private companies to participate in Artemis, boosting innovation and growth.
• Develop Space Law: Clear legislation is needed to promote responsible space exploration and a thriving space economy in India.

Artemis will facilitate and exponentially boost research and study of the Moon due to its collaborative nature. The growing number of nations endorsing the Artemis Accords strengthens their position as the go-to standards for space mining, safety zones, and heritage protection. As more countries rely on the Accords for their space activities, they solidify the belief that these are the applicable laws. Though not international law yet, the Accords are on track to become a widely accepted custom.