INDIAN SPACE POLICY 2023
1. Context
The successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon is one of the most defining moments in India’s history. It consolidates its position as a space power. India is one of the four countries to accomplish a soft landing on the lunar surface, and the first to do so near the Moon’s South Pole.
2. Moon Agreement of 1979
The Moon Agreement, formally known as the "Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies," is an international treaty adopted in 1979 by the United Nations. The agreement aims to establish a legal framework for the use and exploration of the Moon and other celestial bodies, with an emphasis on the equitable sharing of benefits and the prevention of environmental harm. However, it has not been widely ratified and has not gained the same level of acceptance as other space treaties.
Key points of the Moon Agreement include:
Non-Appropriation Principle:
The Moon and its resources are the "common heritage of mankind." No single country can claim sovereignty over the Moon or any part of it.
Equitable Benefit Sharing:
The agreement promotes the fair sharing of benefits from the utilization of lunar resources for all countries, regardless of their level of technological advancement or economic capacity.
Environmental Preservation:
Activities on the Moon should avoid causing harmful changes to its environment. If significant adverse effects are anticipated, countries are required to consult and cooperate to minimize such impacts.
Regulation of Activities:
The agreement calls for international regulation and supervision of activities on the Moon to ensure compliance with its provisions.
Commercial Exploitation:
While the Moon Agreement does not ban commercial activities, it emphasizes that such activities must be conducted for the benefit of all countries and the exploration and use of resources should be governed by international law.
3. What is the Artemis Accords?
The Artemis Accords are a set of international agreements and principles that outline guidelines for space exploration and cooperation on the Moon, Mars, and other celestial bodies. These accords are led by the United States in partnership with other spacefaring nations and aim to establish a framework for safe, transparent, and sustainable exploration and utilization of outer space.
Key aspects of the Artemis Accords include:
- Peaceful Exploration: The accords reaffirm the commitment to the peaceful use of outer space and the prevention of conflicts or harmful interference.
- Transparency: Signatory nations agree to share their plans and intentions for space activities to promote open communication and collaboration.
- Interoperability: The accords emphasize the use of compatible systems and standards to facilitate cooperation between nations' space programs.
- Sustainable Practices: Nations commit to utilizing space resources in a manner that avoids harmful interference with celestial bodies and protects their environments.
- Safety Zones: Countries are encouraged to create "safety zones" around their landing sites to avoid damage and interference by other parties.
- Registration of Space Objects: Signatory nations agree to register space objects to promote transparency and help avoid collisions or conflicts in space.
- Rescue and Return: Nations pledge to assist astronauts in distress and coordinate with the country responsible for their mission to ensure their safe return.
- Scientific Cooperation: The accords promote the sharing of scientific data and findings to advance understanding of space environments.
- Commercial Engagement: The Artemis Accords provide a framework for commercial entities to engage in space exploration while adhering to international law.
- Partnerships: The accords encourage collaboration between governmental space agencies, industry, and other non-governmental entities.
It's important to note that while the Artemis Accords outline a set of principles for space exploration, they are not legally binding treaties. Instead, they represent a political commitment among participating nations to follow these guidelines in their space activities. As of now, several countries, including Australia, Canada, Japan, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates, have expressed interest in participating in the Artemis Accords.
4. Why did India join the Artemis Accords?
- To promote international cooperation in space exploration. The Artemis Accords are a set of principles that guide space exploration, and by joining the Accords, India is signaling its commitment to working with other countries to explore the Moon and beyond.
- To gain access to advanced technology and training. The United States is a leader in space exploration, and by joining the Artemis Accords, India will have the opportunity to access NASA's expertise and technology. This will help India to advance its own space program and achieve its own lunar exploration goals.
- To strengthen its strategic partnership with the United States. The Artemis Accords are a key part of the US-India strategic partnership, and by joining the Accords, India is reaffirming its commitment to working with the United States on a range of issues, including space exploration.
- To enhance its scientific and technological capabilities. The Artemis program will involve a number of challenging scientific and technological challenges, and by joining the Accords, India will have the opportunity to contribute to these efforts and gain valuable experience.
- To boost its economy. The space industry is a growing and lucrative market, and by joining the Artemis Accords, India can position itself to tap into this market and create jobs and economic opportunities.
Overall, India's decision to join the Artemis Accords is a significant step forward for its space program and its strategic partnership with the United States. It is also a positive development for the global space community, as it will help to promote international cooperation and collaboration in space exploration.
5. Specific benefits that India can expect to gain from joining the Artemis Accords:
- Access to NASA's expertise and technology. NASA is the world's leading space agency, and it has a wealth of expertise and technology that India can benefit from. This includes access to NASA's launch vehicles, spacecraft, and ground stations.
- Training for Indian astronauts. NASA can provide training for Indian astronauts, which will help them to prepare for missions to the Moon and beyond. This training will be conducted at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
- Collaboration on lunar exploration projects. India can collaborate with NASA on a number of lunar exploration projects, such as the Artemis Base Camp. This will give India the opportunity to gain experience in lunar exploration and to contribute to the development of this important project.
- Access to the global space market. The space industry is a growing and lucrative market, and by joining the Artemis Accords, India can position itself to tap into this market and create jobs and economic opportunities.
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For Prelims: Moon Agreement, Artemis Accords, Chandrayaan-3, Lunar exploration projects, and NASA.
For Mains: 1. Examine the potential benefits and challenges for India's participation in international space agreements such as the Artemis Accords. (250 words).
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Source: The Hindu
