Since the first space mission, the pursuit of knowledge and exploration has transcended national boundaries, leading to the formation of astro-political alliances. Astro-political alliances are collaborations between nations in activities encompassing space exploration and research. The end of these alliances is to collectively advance space knowledge and capabilities and pursue common interests. Here are five international alliances in space, how they work, and their latest developments!
The Artemis Accords
An astro-political alliance led by NASA and the United States, Artemis Accords, was announced on May 15th, 2020. As of December 2023, there were 33 signatories of the Artemis Accords. Some include Brazil, Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Iceland and India.
The purpose is to strengthen space explorations while enhancing peaceful relationships between member nations. Moreover, all activities will be conducted per the tenets of the Outer Space Treaty.
The ILRS Program
The International Lunar Research Station is a planned lunar base that Roscosmos and China National Space Administration lead. Its purpose is for multi-disciplinary space-oriented research and exploration.
In October 2023, Pakistan joined the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). This was after its sister nation, India, aligned with the United States by signing the Artemis Accords about four months before. It is set to facilitate exploration and use of the moon, moon-based observation, fundamental research experiments, and technology verification.
Five Eyes Space Surveillance Network (SSN)
With origins that can be traced back to the period of the Second World War, The Five Eyes intelligence is a long-standing collaboration that has evolved into a formidable astro-political alliance today. SSN aims to share space surveillance data and cooperate on monitoring objects within Earth’s orbit.
Member countries pool information together from their respective tracking facilities. This boosts the overall situational awareness in space. Contributing countries include the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS)
COPUOS was established by the UN General Assembly in 1959 as a temporary intergovernmental committee shortly after the launch of Sputnik-1. Its objectives have not changed since then. These include a review of cooperation among nations in the peaceful uses of outer space, and the study of space-related activities that the United Nations could take up, among others.
COPUOS provides a forum for nations to discuss certain aspects of space activities through annual sessions and working groups. It also facilitates international agreements and guidelines concerning space activities.
European Space Agency
Made up of 22 member states, the European Space Agency is an astro-political alliance whose mission is to nurture and mold Europe’s space capabilities. It also facilitates and ensures that investments into space matters meet the interests of citizens of member nations and, in turn, the world.
The European Space Agency was established forty-eight years ago on the 30th of May, 1975. Some of its space flight programs over the years include facilitating human spaceflight, crewless exploration missions, and Earth observation. The Copernicus Programme and Cosmic Vision are programs of the ESA.
