What Are The Artemis Accords And Why Do We Need Them?
What Are The Artemis Accords And Why Do We Need Them?, SpaceRef
“NASA has formally announced the “Artemis Accords” – a series of principles and processes whereby America and other countries would agree to a common set of principles covering how the Moon is to be explored and its resources utilized. But what are these accords and why do we need them? Given the renewed and expanded interest by many nations to explore the Moon this makes sense. There are two main issues involved here. One has to do with the common sense approaches that need to be made among multiple parties to ensure that things go smoothly. The other is the legalistic and diplomatic tedium that goes into international agreements.”
The effort here by the US, through NASA, to initiate civil intercourse is admirable (and, perhaps a surprising move by this Administration). However, as many here might point out, international discussion regarding lunar real estate, and lunar activities, is hardly new.
This particular effort appears to have a broader scope, something like the Treaty of Tordesillas.
In fact, haven’t you answered your question?
Or, perhaps in plainer language: “let’s divide this place in the courts rather than in battle.”
No, the Treaty of Tordesillas divided the “uncivilized” world between Span and Portugal and is still generating problems today, for example being used as justification for the Falklands War. It really marked the start of the European Colonial mindset that we need to leave behind on Earth. It is not a good model for space activities.
All the Artemis Accords do is simply reaffirm the basic principles of American space policy and law that were established during the Eisenhower Administration. It doesn’t divide anything, it just reminds other nations space is open to ALL nations and that there are already examples of non-interference to follow, for example the ISS Conventions that designate it’s orbit asks others not to place anything in the same orbit or a conflicting one.
“All the Artemis Accords do is simply reaffirm the basic principles of American space policy and law that were established during the Eisenhower Administration.”
Of course, for some, that is the problem. For 7 years by now the “Princeling’s Party” cadres in the PRC have been promised that just such “outdated” principles would be replaced by Chinese principles, between now and 2049.
” It doesn’t divide anything, …”
Welllll, …it doesn’t divide anything physical. It looks like it will soon divide those nations willing to reaffirm those principles, and live by them, and those who *will* not to do so. I’m seeing in comment sections elsewhere nearly as strong disagreement with the lack of “universal agreement”, i.e. one that the PRC would be willing to sign onto, as I am the tired drum beat that it’s supposedly all Trump’s idea.
You’re right, that these ideas are, in terms of what happens *physically*, a near reverse mirror image of the Treaty of Tordesillas. However, in what the “Princeling’s Party” has promised their cadres in speech after speech will be a penultimate ideological battle between western thought and “Chinese Principles”, it is a neat dividing line between classical liberal thought and that old agrarian culture demand for a “Central Kingdom” dispensing its wisdom to the 4 corners of the world.
The PRC signed the OST, so for them to disagree with the Artemis Accords which are based on the OST would mean a change in their space policy. But given the increasing number of countries turning against China because of the virus, and the way they are sticking it to their “Road and Belt” victims, they may well be alone in doing so.
I think the point is actually clear, as is the parallel: Tordesillas was an advance effort to divide the unknown lands. Similarly these accords. The moon is not quite as unknown as the New World was, perhaps, but the principle remains.
And that is the core problem – divide them. It should be recognized that the destiny of future settlements in space and on Celestial Bodies is to become sovereign and independent nations and not be colonies controlled, exploited and governed by Earth. Although a short period of trusteeship may be needed in the beginning it should draw its inspiration from Article 76 of the UN Charter and the Northwest Ordinance of 1785 providing a clear path to independence and self-determination for the settlers, settlers from all the nations of Earth.
This is also consistent if not stated in America space policy, that space should always be the domain of free people, a statement that goes back to President Kennedy’s justification of Project Apollo.