American and Indian government these days Agreed In expanding its cooperation in spaceflight, as the South Asian country has also signed the Artemis Convention, a joint mission to the International Space Station has also been considered. Information about this was announced on June 22 during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the United States. On this occasion, a joint press conference was held at the White House with US President Joe Biden.
Thus, India has become the 27th country to sign the aforementioned Artemis Accord launched by NASA. “With our decision to join the Artemis Convention, we have taken a major step forward in our cooperation in space exploration.” – Narendra Modi added through a translator.
In the briefing by the White House, which hosted the event, the governments also announced that an agreement had been reached on NASA and ISRO developing plans for manned spaceflight by the end of the year. The presentation also mentioned the ISS 2024 project, which other sources believe will somehow help ISRO send an Indian astronaut to the station as part of a special mission.
Countries that have signed the agreement so far: United States (founder), United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, Poland, New Zealand, Mexico, Luxembourg, South Korea, Japan, Italy, Israel, Canada, Brazil, Australia, Romania, Bahrain, Singapore, Colombia, France, and the Kingdom Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Czech Republic, Spain, Ecuador, India.
Artemis Convention
Participation in the agreement does not mean automatic membership and participation in the US Space Agency’s Artemis program, it only means acceptance of the framework established by NASA. The convention was inaugurated in 1967 and since then it has been accepted by more than 100 countries Outer Space TreatyIt is based on, which regulates the peaceful use of outer space:
- Research and use of outer space should serve the well-being of all countries
- Everyone can explore space freely and it cannot be subject to the sovereignty of any country
- The treaty prohibits the placement of nuclear weapons and any other weapons of mass destruction in outer space
- The treaty states that other celestial bodies (including the Moon) may only be used for peaceful purposes
This agreement has been expanded by NASA with the new agreement Artemis AccordsThe signatory parties guarantee the following:
- Exploration for Peaceful Purposes: All activities carried out under the Artemis Program must be for peaceful purposes
- Transparency: Signatories to the Artemis Accords will conduct their activities in a transparent manner
- Countries participating in the Artemis Program seek to develop systems that can be used by other countries to increase safety and sustainability.
- Emergency Assistance: The signers of the Accords of Artemis pledge to provide assistance to individuals in any distress
- Registration of space objects: All space objects must be registered in a common database (registration agreement).
- Scientific data exchange: The signatories of the Artemis Accords are committed to disseminating scientific information
- Preserving Legacy: The signatories of the Artemis Accords are committed to preserving the heritage of outer space (see the Apollo moon landing sites)
- Space Resources: The extraction and use of resources is central to safe and sustainable exploration (see Mining on the Moon). Signatories to the Artemis Accords confirm that these activities will be conducted in accordance with the Outer Space Treaty.
- Space junk: Artemis pact nations are obligated to keep outer space “clean” (eg empty rocket stages are not left in orbit).
