Examining the evolution of space law and the position of the Artemis Agreement
Sr No:
13
Page No:
107-113
Language:
English
Licence:
CC BY-NC 4.0
Authors:
Prof, Dr. Mohammad Ekram YAWAR*, Dr. Ramazan Ahmadi, Muaiyid Rasooli PhD, Lec. Abdul Jamil Sharify
Published Date:
2025-08-19
Abstract:
The rapid advancement of technology across various domains, including outer space, has compelled states to continually update and refine treaties and regulatory frameworks governing space activities. Notable examples include the U.S. Space Resource Exploration and Utilization Act of 2015, the Luxembourg Space Resources Act of 2017, and, most recently, the Artemis Accords, ratified by 32 countries in October 2020. The Artemis Accords are integral to the broader Artemis program, spearheaded by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). This study investigates whether the Artemis Accords can exert a transformative influence on the development of international space law. Employing a documentary (library-based) research methodology, the article critically examines the compatibility of the Artemis Accords with existing international legal frameworks, including the Outer Space Treaty (1967) and the Moon Agreement (1979). The findings indicate that, while the Accords are grounded in the principles of the Outer Space Treaty, they introduce a substantive innovation in international space law by shifting from a prescriptive regulatory approach toward a more facilitative framework for space activities.
Keywords:
Moon exploration, Artemis Accords, space rights, outer space, space activities, space treaties