NASA keeps taking its upcoming Artemis mission very seriously for returning humans to the Moon by 2024. During the virtual meeting from the International Astronautical Foundation, NASA signed accords with seven countries. The purpose is establishing norms for cooperation among nations for the exploration of the Moon and other cosmic objects from the solar system.
The Artemis Accords is the stake here, and alongside the USA, which is represented by NASA, the following countries are included: Japan, Luxembourg, Italy, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates.
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said:
I want it to be really clear that this is the beginning,
There are many other nations that are not only interested in the Artemis Accords but anxious to sign them. But countries all around the world have to go through their own interagency processes to be able to sign on to the accords.
The accords are based on the Outer Space Treaty, meaning the basis of international space law. Bridenstine also says that the goal is establishing a framework by which the agreements can be enforced.
The Artemis mission aims to send a man and a woman to the lunar surface. The purpose is to build a base there for exploration and further scientific studies. The next move will be to make the first step in the colonization of Mars. Although the whole process will be a long-time goal, scientists are optimistic about the chances to prevail.
Mars is among the few cosmic objects from our solar system that are capable of hosting any life forms, so there’s no wonder why astronomers had chosen it. On Venus and Mercury is way too hot, as both planets are closer to the Sun. Jupiter and Saturn lack a solid surface, being composed almost entirely of gases. As for Uranus and Neptune, those planets are way too far away and cold for life to survive there.
