The Artemis Accords have gained their 71st signatory with Turkey formally joining the US-led framework for peaceful exploration of the Moon, Mars and beyond. Here are the Artemis Accords facts that matter for prelims.
Why in News?
Turkey signed the Artemis Accords, becoming the 71st country to join the framework that promotes safe, transparent and peaceful civil exploration of outer space.
Artemis Accords: Key Facts for Prelims
- Non-binding set of principles introduced in 2020 by the US State Department and NASA.
- Grounded in the Outer Space Treaty of 1967; covers peaceful purposes, transparency, interoperability, emergency assistance, registration of space objects, release of scientific data, protection of heritage sites, space resources, deconfliction of activities and orbital debris.
- India signed in June 2023 during PM Modi’s state visit to the USA, becoming the 27th signatory.
- Eight founding signatories (2020): USA, Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, UAE and the UK.
- China and Russia are not signatories; they lead the rival International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) project.
- Linked to NASA’s Artemis programme, which aims to return humans to the Moon (Artemis II crewed lunar flyby, Artemis III lunar landing) and eventually reach Mars.
Interconnected static points
- Outer Space Treaty (1967) β outer space is not subject to national appropriation; India is a party.
- Moon Agreement (1979) β India signed but has not ratified; the USA is not a party.
- IndiaβUS space cooperation: NISAR satellite (ISROβNASA), and Indian astronaut training with NASA for the ISS under the Artemis cooperation framework.
- India’s own lunar roadmap: Chandrayaan-3 (2023, south pole landing), Chandrayaan-4 sample return, Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035 and a crewed Moon landing by 2040.
Quick Revision Table: Artemis Accords
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nature | Non-binding principles for civil space exploration |
| Launched | 2020, by NASA and US State Department |
| Legal foundation | Outer Space Treaty 1967 |
| Latest signatory | Turkey (71st) |
| India | Signed 2023 as 27th member |
| Founding members | 8 countries incl. USA, Japan, UK, UAE |
| Not members | China, Russia (ILRS instead) |
Trap / Confusing Points: Artemis Accords
| Confusion | Correct Position |
|---|---|
| the Accords are a UN treaty | No β a US-led non-binding framework, not negotiated in the UN |
| Artemis Accords = Artemis programme | Accords are principles; programme is NASA’s Moon mission series |
| India was a founding signatory | No β India joined in 2023 as the 27th signatory |
| Moon Agreement and the Accords are the same | Moon Agreement is a 1979 UN treaty; India signed but never ratified it |
5 Practice MCQs on Artemis Accords
1. The the Accords are based on which international treaty?
a. Moon Agreement 1979
b. Outer Space Treaty 1967
c. Liability Convention 1972
d. Registration Convention 1975
Ans: B
Explanation: The Accords reaffirm and operationalise principles of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.
2. India signed the Artemis Accords in which year?
a. 2020
b. 2022
c. 2023
d. 2025
Ans: C
Explanation: India signed in June 2023 during the PM’s state visit to the USA, becoming the 27th signatory.
3. Which of the following countries is NOT a signatory to the the Accords?
a. Japan
b. UAE
c. China
d. Australia
Ans: C
Explanation: China and Russia have stayed out and promote the International Lunar Research Station.
4. The Artemis Accords were introduced by:
a. United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs
b. European Space Agency
c. NASA and the US State Department
d. International Astronautical Federation
Ans: C
Explanation: NASA and the US Department of State launched the Accords in October 2020.
5. Which statement about the the Accords is correct?
a. They are legally binding on signatories
b. They permit national appropriation of the Moon
c. They are a non-binding set of principles for civil space exploration
d. They prohibit extraction of space resources
Ans: C
Explanation: The Accords are non-binding and allow space resource extraction consistent with the Outer Space Treaty.
Exam tip: Revise Artemis Accords together with the static links above; UPSC and APPSC prelims often frame questions from these interconnections.
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