Prelims – Current events of national and international importance.
Mains (GS III) – Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
Why in news?
Bangladesh recently became the 54th nation to sign the Artemis Accords.
- Aim – To provide a non-binding framework of principles to guide peaceful and cooperative civil space exploration, supporting NASA's Artemis Program.
NASA's Artemis Program aims to return humans to the Moon and Mars.
- Established – In 2020 by the United States, led by NASA and the U.S. Department of State and 7 other initial signatory nations.
- Scope – Applies to civil space activities on the Moon, Mars, asteroids, comets, their orbits, Lagrangian points and transit paths.
- Signatories – There are 54 countries including Bangladesh.
- India – Signed the Accords in 2023 to boost the cooperation between the two nations and explore the domain beyond the boundaries of Earth.
Core Principles of the Accord
- Peaceful Exploration – All activities exclusively for peaceful purposes.
- Transparency – Commitment to sharing space policies, plans, and scientific findings by the nations.
- Implementation – Through memoranda, government agreements and agency arrangements.
- Compatibility – Aligns with the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and other international space law.
- Safety Zones – Provides for establishment of safety zones to prevent harmful interference.
- Space Resources – Affirms the right to extract and utilize space resources sustainably.
- Registration – Requires registration of space objects for identification.
- Interoperability – Promotes compatible systems and standards.
- Space Debris – Commits signatories to debris mitigation planning.
- Emergency Assistance – Provides framework for supporting astronauts in distress.
Significance
- Represents largest international coalition for space exploration governance.
- Creates practical framework for sustainable lunar presence.
- Facilitates international cooperation while respecting sovereignty.
- Positions signatories for future space economy participation.
Reference
NASA | Artemis Accords
