On May 30, Peru and Slovakia signed NASA's Artemis Accords, making them the latest in a rapidly growing list of nations joining the US-led initiative for the safe exploration of space. The two countries signed the agreement at NASA's Washington headquarters, but in separate ceremonies, with Peru adding its name to the agreement first on May 30, followed by Slovakia. Peru became the 41st country and Slovakia the 42nd to do so.
About the Artemis Accords
Launched in 2020 by NASA and seven other countries, the Artemis Accords are a non-binding political commitment to a set of principles guiding the conduct of civil space exploration. Named after the Artemis program, which NASA runs in collaboration with industry and international partners to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon and eventually Mars, these accords are not equivalent to participation in NASA's led program but are part of the US-led diplomatic efforts to promote peaceful use of space in this new era of space exploration.
The agreements are primarily based on principles established in core space treaties, but they seek to shape the activities of a more diverse group of space actors in a world vastly different from when such principles were first established.
Why the Agreements Matter
Space governance forums like the United Nations, where nations debate rules governing space use, often become settings for familiar geopolitical battles. For the United States, building a global coalition based on democratic principles and values is considered crucial for protecting significant civilian, military, and commercial interests in space.
Although some of these tensions are as old as the first satellites, the landscape is very different today. Today's space governance discussions involve a variety of actors and countries at all stages of space development. For some, these agreements reflect today's priorities, such as Luxembourg's prioritization of space resource mining and utilization approved in the accords.
Objective Questions for Competitive Exams
Q.1. Which countries became the 41st and 42nd signatories of the Artemis Accords?
a) India and Japan
b) Peru and Slovakia
c) Russia and China
Answer: b) Peru and Slovakia
Q.2. What is the main goal of the Artemis Accords?
a) Building a sustainable human presence on the Moon and Mars
b) Constructing spacecraft
c) Managing space debris
Answer: a) Building a sustainable human presence on the Moon and Mars
Q.3. In which year were the Artemis Accords launched?
a) 2018
b) 2020
c) 2022
Answer: b) 2020
Q.4. Besides NASA, which major partner is involved in the Artemis Accords?
a) CNES
b) ISRO
c) ESA
Answer: c) ESA
Q.5. Which country is leading efforts to promote the peaceful use of space exploration?
a) Russia
b) China
c) USA
Answer: c) USA
Q.6. What is the goal of the Artemis program?
a) Sending robotic missions to Mars
b) Establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon
c) Increasing the number of satellites in space
Answer: b) Establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon
