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India signs Artemis Accords committing to transparent and sustainable space activity

Indian Ambassador Taranjit Sandhu, signs the Artemis Accords, as U.S. Department of State, Deputy Assistant Secretary for India, Nancy Jackson, left, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, and Indian Space Research Organization, Space Counselor, Krunal Joshi, right, look on at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington. India is the 27th country to sign the Artemis Accords, which establish a practical set of principles to guide space exploration cooperation among nations participating in NASA’s Artemis program.
Credits: NASA/Bill Ingalls

In a ceremony recently held in Washington, D.C., the Republic of India became the 27th nation to sign the Artemis Accords demonstrating India’s commitment to sustainable and transparent space activity, as outlined by the non-legally binding principles of the accords.

During a news conference with President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Modi expressed enthusiasm for the India-U.S. partnership in space, with plans for advanced training of Indian astronauts by NASA. Both countries aim to develop a strategic framework for human spaceflight cooperation by the end of 2023.

The Artemis Accords are based on the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 and serve as a guide for sustainable civil space exploration. These principles encompass transparency, peaceful purposes, space object registration, and the release of scientific data. By adhering to these principles, the space environment becomes safer and more predictable, enabling nations, including those without space programs, to benefit from the scientific data obtained in space. The accords promote sharing scientific knowledge, ensuring the interoperability of space infrastructure, and other agreements.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson expressed gratitude for India’s leadership in signing the Artemis Accords, emphasizing the importance of peaceful and transparent space exploration. India’s involvement in the accords marks a significant milestone in bilateral space cooperation and highlights its commitment to the peaceful and sustainable use of outer space.

With India’s signing of the Artemis Accords, the global space community anticipates increased collaboration, knowledge sharing, and progress in sustainable space exploration endeavors.