Artemis Accords: Understanding NASA’s 51-Nation Space Agreement

Established in 2020, these accords are linked to NASA’s Artemis Program and are designed to “create a political framework for mutually beneficial practices in the future exploration and utilization of outer space, focusing on Artemis Program-supportive activities,” according to the administration.

As NASA and its collaborators approach another year towards sending astronauts to the Moon, here are key points about this expanding international agreement.

Among the 51 nations that have signed the accords, the United States is the only nation equipped to send humans beyond Earth’s atmosphere.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has chosen not to develop its own manned spacecraft, opting instead to purchase seats on American or Russian flights, while the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) plans to launch its inaugural manned mission, the Gaganyaan Project, by 2025.

Regarding spaceports, Japan, South Korea, Israel, and New Zealand each have at least one operational spaceport, and the ESA runs a launch complex in French Guiana.

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Numerous space agencies have been assigned to collaborate on the Artemis missions’ hardware.

For instance, the ESA is developing the service module for the Orion spacecraft that will transport Artemis astronauts to the Moon, while the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is working on a new lunar rover, and plans for the Gateway space station in lunar orbit involve both the ESA and the United Arab Emirates.

Nonetheless, all Artemis astronauts will primarily rely on American technology.

They will launch aboard rockets manufactured by Boeing and make their translunar journey in a human-rated capsule built by Lockheed Martin, ultimately landing on the Moon with either a SpaceX or Blue Origin lander.

Human orbital missions among signatory nations will be primarily facilitated by American spacecraft, such as the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsules.

According to NASA, only 15 of the 51 signatory nations have sent astronauts to the International Space Station, and this list includes countries with minimal or no experience in spaceflight, including Armenia, Angola, and the Dominican Republic.

This treaty, which took effect on October 10 of that year after being ratified by the U.S. Senate in April, forbids the placement of nuclear arms, military installations, and any form of weapon testing or military actions on the Moon.

Moreover, it prohibits individual nations from establishing colonies on the lunar surface.

The Moon is For All

Article II of the Outer Space Treaty declares: “Outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means.”

This follows Article I, which states that the Moon and outer space shall remain open for all states to use without any discrimination, asserting that all exploration should be “the province of all mankind,” aimed at benefiting all countries irrespective of their economic or scientific advancement.

The accords are grounded in various other treaties and agreements to promote best practices for collaborative efforts in space.

These encompass the “Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space,” and the “Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects.”

Additionally, they express an intent to preserve outer space heritage, such as historic landing sites.

While the Outer Space Treaty came into force in the Soviet Union on the same day that the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) adopted it on December 30, 1983, neither has yet endorsed the Artemis Accords.

The United States has cultivated constructive outer-space relations with Russia since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, collaborating on the International Space Station for over two decades.

Conversely, the CCP has expressed plans to land on the Moon by 2030 and establish its own international operation base. However, it remains uncertain whether the CCP will aim for the United States’ projected landing site at the lunar south pole.

During a press conference on December 5, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson reiterated the need for the Artemis Program to arrive at the Moon ahead of the CCP, doubting their commitment to the Outer Space Treaty or keeping their landing zones accessible to all.

“I wish that China could be a partner with us, and perhaps there will be a chance for this in the future,” he stated.

“I hope so. But given the history of how the Chinese government has acted up to now, including recently, I would prefer if that did not take place in a very crucial area of the Moon.”

Artemis Accords Are Voluntary

Although the Artemis Accords signify a nation’s intention to adhere to specific principles regarding operations in outer space, they are not legally binding.

This allows nations the option to collaborate with any non-signatory nation, suggesting they could partner with the CCP, which is often viewed as the United States’ main global rival, in space endeavors without repercussions.

Artemis II, the first manned mission to orbit the Moon since 1972, is set to launch in April 2026.

Artemis III, the program’s inaugural lunar landing mission, is scheduled for mid-2027.