China News Agency, Houston, May 15-NASA announced the main points of the "Artemis Accords" on the 15th. This legal framework governs the exploration and mining activities of contracting countries and private companies on the moon. , Including the establishment of "safe areas" around exploration areas and mining sites on the surface of the moon.
According to NASA's official website, this agreement uses the name of the US mission to return to the moon-"Artemis." NASA plans to send two astronauts to the moon by 2024, and will establish a permanent base on the lunar orbit and the lunar surface.
The agreement stated that NASA is advancing the "Artemis" plan, and at the same time, its international partners will play a key role in the plan to achieve the establishment of a sustainable and strong base on the lunar surface for the human Mars Prepare for the task. NASA has signed this bilateral agreement as a condition for other international space agencies and enterprises to participate in the "Artemis" program.
According to the agreement, many countries and private companies are currently carrying out tasks related to lunar exploration. In this case, it is vital to establish a common set of principles to manage the exploration and use of the moon.
The core of the agreement is to create a safe and transparent cooperative environment in accordance with the principles of the Outer Space Treaty, which entered into force in 1967, to promote scientific exploration and commercial activities.
The agreement requires transparent disclosure of their respective policies and plans for monthly exploration and mining activities; requires that new standards be developed when necessary, and strives to effectively support interoperable cooperation to the greatest extent; requires commitment to take all possible reasonable measures Assistance for astronauts in distress; requesting the implementation of a registration system to urge unregistered countries and private companies to register as soon as possible. Without proper registration, coordination cannot be avoided to avoid harmful interference; science must be shared in a timely, comprehensive and open manner data.
According to Reuters, in the coming weeks, US officials plan to formally negotiate the agreement with Canada, Japan, the UAE, Europe and other countries, and communicate with countries that the US believes have "similar interests" in the development of lunar minerals.
NASA Director Bridenstine also said that NASA will cooperate with Russia and other countries. NASA hopes that Russia, a long-term partner on the International Space Station, will sign this agreement. In addition, he said that setting standards of conduct may affect how countries operate in space, even if they are not signatories.
"Washington Post" said that this agreement has been boycotted by the Russian Aerospace Group President Rogozin, he said that this is an invasion of the moon.
A copy of the agreement obtained by the media shows that the parties will be required to disclose the scope and overall nature of the "action within the" security zone ", however, consideration will be given to trade secrets, national security and" controlled non-confidentiality " Appropriate protection of information ".
Gold, acting deputy director of NASA ’s Office of International and Institutional Relations, said that we want to avoid conflict and we want to encourage communication. He pointed out that the important thing is that the United States should not only lead in technology, but also in policy, so he proposed this agreement.
Bridenstine said recently, "NASA is concerned with science, technology and discovery. These are very important, but I think it is worth mentioning that NASA is a diplomatic tool." (End)