As per the announcement made by NASA on October 13, 2020, an international pact for Moon exploration, namely, ‘The Artemis Accords’ has been signed by eight countries—the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, Luxembourg, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates. The accord aims to shape standards for building long-term settlements on the lunar surface. The agency seeks to build on existing international space law by establishing ‘safety zones’ that would surround future Moon bases so that no conflicts may arise between states operating in the space.
The agreement came after months of talks in a US bid to cultivate allies under its plan to return astronauts to the moon by 2024. As per the NASA administrator, efforts are being made to establish norms of behaviour that every nation can agree to. The accords are consistent with a 1967-treaty, which holds that the Moon and other celestial bodies are exempt from national claims of ownership. Moon is seen as a strategic asset by the US as well as governments of other spacefaring countries, as it has value for long-term scientific research, and could enable future missions to Mars.
The NASA program will send robotic rovers to the surface of the Moon before an eventual human landing. Apart from that, the NASA plans to build a space station orbiting the Moon, known as a Lunar Gateway with the help of a group of NASA contractors and international partners.
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The 1967 Treaty The treaty, consisting of 17 Articles, came into force in October, 1967, on principles governing the activities of states in the exploration and use of outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies.
The first article says that outer space (the moon and other celestial bodies) shall be the province of all mankind. Its use and exploration would be made in the interests of all countries, irrespective of their degree of economic or scientific development. It shall be free for exploration and use by all States without discrimination of any kind, on the basis of equality and in accordance with international law. There shall be free access to all areas of celestial bodies like freedom of scientific investigation, which shall be cooperated, facilitated, and encouraged by the States.
Courtesy: ntdv.com, nasa.gov