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Context:

• Sweden becomes 38th country to sign NASA's Artemis Accords for moon exploration.

Details:

• Sweden is now the 38th nation to join the accords.
• By joining the Artemis Accords, Sweden strengthens its strategic space partnership with the U.S. on space covering areas such as Swedish space research and the space industry, which in turn also strengthens Sweden’s total defense capability.

About Artemis Accords:

• The Artemis Accords were announced in May 2020 by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
• As of April 19, 2024, thirty-nine countries have signed the accords, including nineteen in Europe, eight in Asia, five in South America, three in North America, three in Africa, and two in Oceania.
• Drafted by NASA and the U.S. Department of State, the Accords established a framework for cooperation in the civil exploration and peaceful use of the Moon, Mars, and other astronomical objects. They are explicitly grounded in the United Nations Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which signatories are obliged to uphold, and cite most major U.N.-brokered conventions constituting space law.
• Artemis program aims to send astronauts back to the moon for the first time since Apollo 17, in 1972.

Features of the Artemis Accords:

• International Cooperation: The Accords aims at international cooperation among spacefaring nations, encouraging partnerships in lunar exploration efforts. Participating countries commit to peaceful activities on the Moon and other celestial bodies.
• Transparency: Transparency is a core principle, emphasizing the sharing of scientific data and information such as open access to lunar and space-related data, among signatories.
• Common technical standards: The Accords advocate for interoperability among spacecraft and systems, enabling cooperation between different nations' missions. Common technical standards and protocols are encouraged to facilitate this interoperability.
• Sustainable Exploration: Sustainable exploration is highlighted, focusing on minimizing the impact of human activities on lunar environments. Measures to preserve historic sites, manage space debris, and mitigate potential hazards to future missions will be taken.
• Registration of Space Objects: Signatories will have to agree to register their space objects with the United Nations to ensure responsible behavior in space

• Non-Discrimination: The Accord aims at non-discrimination in space exploration activities, to promote equal opportunities for all participating nations.
• Legal Framework: The accord will not be legally binding. They will complement existing international space law, providing a framework for responsible and sustainable space exploration.

Read all the details about the accord in:

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/artemis-program-10

Source

https://www.space.com/nasa-sweden-signs-artemis-accords

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