Context
As India is heading towards lunar missions, it becomes necessary to think over its cooperation at international level and to go for Artemis Accord.
About Artemis Accords
- The Artemis Accords are a mechanism by which countries can participate in NASA’s Artemis Programme.
- The programme envisages landing the first woman and the next man on the Moon in 2024, which require international cooperation.
- NASA likely sees this as a natural next step after the collaboration at the International Space Station.
- The Artemis Accords will describe a shared vision for principles, grounded in the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, to create a safe and transparent environment which facilitates exploration, science, and commercial activities for all of humanity to enjoy.
India’s stand
- India’s lunar programme has had limited success.
- It has two missions in orbit.
- The US has collaborated with India on Chandrayaan 1, the first lunar mission.
- India is also collaborating with Japan on a future lunar mission, called LUPEX, to the Moon’s surface. Japan is also a signatory to the Artemis Accords.
- The US, France, Germany and Italy in Europe, and Japan have also offered help to India with human spaceflight training.
- India also depends on Ukraine for semi-cryogenic engines and Ukraine is a signatory to the accords.
- These various dependencies in advanced space technologies make up an important background to understand the context in which India is operating. They may play a role in India’s decision on whether to join the Artemis Accords.
- The Artemis Accords provides a similar opportunity to learn about interplanetary missions and human spaceflight. India must take advantage of this opportunity.
