22 Apr Artemis Accord
This article covers ‘Daily Current Affairs’ and the topic details of ”Artemis accord”. This topic is relevant in the “Science and Technology” section of the UPSC CSE exam.
Why in the News?
Most recently, Slovenia and Sweden joined the ranks of nations signing the Artemis Accords, becoming the 39th and 38th countries, respectively, to do so.
What is Artemis’ accord?
- The Artemis Accords, initiated by the U.S. State Department and NASA along with seven other founding nations – Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom – in 2020, aim to establish universal principles governing the peaceful exploration and utilisation of outer space, including the moon, Mars, comets, and asteroids.
- These accords are based on the framework provided by the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, a foundational document in international space law established under the United Nations.
- The treaty underscores the notion of space as a shared resource for humanity, prohibits the national appropriation of celestial bodies, and promotes the peaceful exploration and utilisation of space.
Key principles of Artemis Accord
- Transparency in Space Activities: The Accords call for signatories to register their space objects with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. This promotes transparency in space activities and reduces the risk of collisions between spacecraft or debris in orbit. Maintaining a clear picture of objects in space is crucial for ensuring the safety of space exploration endeavours.
- Transparency and Knowledge Sharing: The Accords advocate for open communication between signatories. This includes sharing scientific data and best practices, fostering collaboration and accelerating scientific progress. By openly sharing information, participating nations can learn from each other’s experiences, leading to more efficient and successful missions.
- Peaceful Purposes: The Accords prioritise the use of space exploration for peaceful objectives only. This aligns with the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, a foundational document in space law, which prohibits military activities on celestial bodies. The Artemis Accords reinforce this commitment, fostering a spirit of cooperation in space.
- Interoperability: To ensure seamless collaboration on future space projects, the Accords call for the development of compatible systems and standards. This could involve establishing common protocols for communication, docking procedures, and data exchange between space agencies. By working towards interoperability, signatories can avoid technical hurdles and work together more effectively.
- Responsible Resource Utilisation: As space exploration expands, the potential to extract resources from celestial bodies becomes more relevant. The Artemis Accords acknowledge this by establishing a framework for the responsible utilisation of these resources. This ensures that resource extraction is conducted sustainably and equitably, preventing conflicts and safeguarding the long-term future of space exploration.
- Mutual Assistance: The Accords emphasise the importance of rendering aid to astronauts in need, upholding a longstanding tradition of spacefaring nations supporting each other. This principle ensures the safety and well-being of astronauts venturing into the unknown depths of space.
About Outer Space Treaty
- The Outer Space Treaty, adopted by the United Nations in 1967, primarily focuses on ensuring the peaceful use of outer space and prohibits the placement of nuclear weapons in space. It also includes provisions related to managing space debris and ensuring the return of space objects to Earth, as well as addressing damage caused by space objects to other space assets or on Earth.
- The Rescue and Return Agreement of 1968, previously known as the ‘Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space’ (ARRA), outlines the responsibilities of states to assist and rescue astronauts in distress and promptly return them to their launching State. It also addresses the recovery of space objects.
- The Liability Convention of 1972, formally titled the Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects, counts most space-faring countries as signatories. This convention serves as one of several international agreements complementing the Outer Space Treaty, providing a framework for countries’ behaviour in space.
- Furthermore, the Registration Convention of 1975, known as the Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space, aims to establish means and procedures for identifying objects launched into outer space (space objects) and facilitating their registration.
Need for Artemis accord.
- Global Cooperation: Space exploration has evolved from a competition among superpowers to a collaborative effort involving multiple nations and private entities. The Artemis Accords provide a platform for nations to cooperate and coordinate their activities in space, ensuring mutual benefit and advancing scientific knowledge for all humanity.
- Peaceful Exploration: With the increasing interest in lunar and planetary exploration, it’s crucial to establish clear guidelines for peaceful coexistence and cooperation in space. The Artemis Accords emphasise the peaceful use of outer space, mitigating the risk of conflict and promoting a shared vision for exploration.
- Regulatory Framework: As space activities become more diverse and complex, there’s a growing need for a regulatory framework to address issues such as resource utilisation, environmental protection, and space traffic management. The Artemis Accords lay down principles and guidelines to govern these activities, promoting responsible behaviour and sustainability in space.
- Protection of Heritage: The Artemis Accords recognise the importance of preserving sites and artefacts of historical or cultural significance in space, such as lunar landing sites. By protecting these heritage sites, the accords ensure that future generations can study and appreciate humanity’s achievements in space exploration.
- Transparency and Accountability: Transparency and openness are essential for building trust among spacefaring nations and promoting collaboration. The Artemis Accords encourage nations to share information openly about their space activities, fostering transparency and accountability in the international space community.
- Legal Certainty: By adhering to the principles outlined in the Artemis Accords, nations can benefit from legal certainty and predictability in their space activities. Clear guidelines help prevent misunderstandings and conflicts, allowing nations to pursue their exploration goals with confidence.
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Prelims practise question
Q1. Consider the following statements:
- The primary goal of the Artemis Accords is to limit access to space resources.
- It was initiated by NASA and the European Space Agency
- The Artemis Accords is built upon the Outer Space Treaty of 1967
How many of the statements above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: C
Q2. What is the primary purpose of the Liability Convention of 1972?
(a) Establishing guidelines for space debris management
(b) Ensuring the peaceful use of outer space
(c) Addressing liability for damage caused by space objects
(d) Promoting global cooperation in space exploration
Answer: C
Mains practise question
Q1. In what ways do the Artemis Accords promote the peaceful use of outer space, and how do they align with existing international treaties like the Outer Space Treaty of 1967?
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