Artemis II astronauts preparing for historic lunar flyby
The astronauts have had geology training in order to be able to photograph and describe lunar features, including ancient lava flows and impact craters
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Context
NASA's Artemis II mission, with a four-member international crew including a Canadian astronaut, is conducting a 10-day lunar flyby, marking humanity's first crewed journey beyond low-Earth orbit in over 50 years. This mission is a critical test for the Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System, paving the way for future lunar landings and the establishment of a sustainable human presence on the Moon. The mission aims to set a new record for the farthest distance humans have traveled from Earth.
UPSC Perspectives
Geopolitical
The Artemis program signifies a new era of space diplomacy and competition. Led by the United States, the program is underpinned by the , a set of non-binding principles for cooperation in civil space exploration. India's decision to sign the Accords in June 2023 is a major diplomatic move, aligning its space program with the U.S.-led bloc and signaling a strategic counterweight to the joint China-Russia lunar exploration plans. This creates a multipolar dynamic in space exploration, moving beyond the Cold War's bipolar U.S.-Soviet rivalry. For UPSC, this highlights the geopolitical significance of space, where collaborations like Artemis serve both scientific and strategic foreign policy objectives, strengthening alliances and promoting shared norms for responsible behavior in space.
Legal & Governance
The legal framework for outer space is primarily governed by the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which establishes space as the 'province of all mankind' and prohibits national appropriation of celestial bodies. The aim to implement and reinforce this treaty, providing practical guidelines on issues like transparency, emergency assistance, and the utilization of space resources. However, the Accords are non-binding and their provisions, particularly regarding resource extraction, have raised questions about potential conflicts with the Outer Space Treaty's prohibition on sovereignty claims. UPSC aspirants should analyze the evolution of international space law, contrasting the foundational, treaty-based approach of the with modern, non-binding arrangements like the Accords, and evaluate their effectiveness in governing emerging activities like lunar mining and deconflicting space activities.
Science & Technology
The Artemis II mission serves as a crucial technological demonstrator for long-duration human spaceflight in deep space. It tests advanced systems like the and the . For India, this mission offers valuable insights as it develops its own human spaceflight capability through the programme. While Gaganyaan is focused on achieving autonomous access to low-Earth orbit, Artemis is pushing the frontier to the Moon and beyond. The technological and operational learnings from Artemis II, particularly in life support, radiation shielding, and deep-space navigation, are highly relevant for 's long-term ambitions, which include a space station by 2035 and sending an Indian to the Moon by 2040. UPSC may ask questions comparing the objectives, technologies, and strategic importance of the Gaganyaan and Artemis programs.