NASA and ESA sign simple lunar exploration agreement
In what appears to be an attempt by both to maintain their working relationship, even though several major European nations have not yet signed the Artemis Accords, last week NASA and ESA signed a simple agreement reaffirming their desire to work together in exploring the Moon.
Neither ESA nor NASA published the agreement, which in a photograph appeared to be little more than one page. In a Sept. 23 statement, NASA described the agreement as a “non-binding joint statement” about current and prospective future cooperation in Artemis.
Of ESA’s members, only France, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, and the United Kingdom have signed the Artemis Accords. Thus, ESA and NASA face a conundrum. According to the accords and the NASA policy established by the Trump administration and supposedly continued under Biden, only signatories can participate in the Artemis program. Yet, most of the members of ESA have not signed, and ESA has no authority to make them do so. ESA however is building the service module for the Orion capsule — as well as other major components of Artemis — which NASA must have.
I suspect this short one page agreement is the Biden administration’s under-handed admission that — when it comes to Europe — the Artemis Accords will no longer be required.
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In what appears to be an attempt by both to maintain their working relationship, even though several major European nations have not yet signed the Artemis Accords, last week NASA and ESA signed a simple agreement reaffirming their desire to work together in exploring the Moon.
Neither ESA nor NASA published the agreement, which in a photograph appeared to be little more than one page. In a Sept. 23 statement, NASA described the agreement as a “non-binding joint statement” about current and prospective future cooperation in Artemis.
Of ESA’s members, only France, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, and the United Kingdom have signed the Artemis Accords. Thus, ESA and NASA face a conundrum. According to the accords and the NASA policy established by the Trump administration and supposedly continued under Biden, only signatories can participate in the Artemis program. Yet, most of the members of ESA have not signed, and ESA has no authority to make them do so. ESA however is building the service module for the Orion capsule — as well as other major components of Artemis — which NASA must have.
I suspect this short one page agreement is the Biden administration’s under-handed admission that — when it comes to Europe — the Artemis Accords will no longer be required.
Readers!
Every February I run a fund-raising drive during my birthday month. This year I celebrate my 72nd birthday, and hope and plan to continue writing and posting on Behind the Black for as long as I am able.
I hope my readers will support this effort. As I did in my November fund-raising drive, I am offering autographed copies of my books for large donations. Donate $250 and you can have a choice of the hardback of either Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8 or Conscious Choice: The origins of slavery in America and why it matters today and for our future in outer space. Donate $200 and you can get an autographed paperback copy of either.
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. My analysis of space, politics, and culture, taken from the perspective of an historian, is almost always on the money and ahead of the game. For example, in 2020 I correctly predicted that the COVID panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Every one of those 2020 conclusions has turned out right.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
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3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
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You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
I suspect this short one page agreement is the Biden administration’s under-handed admission that — when it comes to Europe — the Artemis Accords will no longer be required.
Quite possibly. But the Biden Administration is not likely to be in power when any of these notional missions will fly anyway.
It could also be that there will end up being multiple “tiers” to participation in Artemis.
The Space News story mentions that it will help ESA to prepare for the upcoming Ministerial Meeting in November where priorities are set and programs approved by representatives of ESA member nations. It gives the ESA Director General more leeway to propose additional elements to the existing cooperation to the ministers.
I doubt it has anything to do with the Artemis Accords.
D. Messier wrote: “I doubt it has anything to do with the Artemis Accords.”
Since cooperation in Project Artemis requires being a signatory to the Artemis Accords, then NASA has described the agreement incorrectly.
Clearly, Aschbacher expects ESA participation in Artemis.
From Wikipedia:
Since signing the Accords is required to formally take part in the Artemis Program, it seems that ESA’s part must be informal. Unless this agreement is NASA’s way of getting around the signature requirement, in which case this has much to do with the Artemis Accords as a workaround to signatory status.
Europe knows it needs to remain relevant to gain access to solar system resources ($$$) in cannot obtain on its own.
“Allies” is an actual thing, even for us.
ESA is already a partner in Artemis. It’s supplying service modules for Orion and elements of the lunar gateway. Other partners include Canada and Japan. These are formal agreements worked out years ago.
The document NASA and ESA just signed says these are areas we’re cooperating in and could cooperate in in the future. Aschbacher can go to ministers and say these are other areas NASA is willing to work with us on, can you fund the following programs?
Agreement doesn’t commit either side to anything. Expanded cooperation is contingent on ministers approving ESA programs and negotiations with NASA.