NASA and the White House have announced an agreement to include international astronautics in upcoming moon missions. The news was shared during a meeting of the National Space Council in Washington, D.C., chaired by Vice President Kamala Harris. While specific details regarding the astronaut and country assignments have not been disclosed, NASA has stated that crew allocations will be made closer to the moon landing missions. Currently, no commitments have been made to any specific country.
This is not the first time that NASA has collaborated with international partners in space travel. Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen is set to join three American astronauts on a mission to orbit the moon in about a year’s time. However, the upcoming mission holds significant importance as it will mark the first time in over 50 years that astronauts will land on the moon. The last moon landing by astronauts took place during NASA’s Apollo program in the 1960s and 1970s.
The new moon exploration program, named Artemis after Apollo’s twin sister in mythology, highlights the importance of global cooperation in space. To promote responsible behavior in space, NASA established the Artemis Accords in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State in 2020. So far, 33 countries have signed the Accords, with all expected to be present at the National Space Council meeting.
It is worth noting that Russia and China are absent from the Artemis Accords, as they have sent their own citizens into orbit. Currently, Russia remains a NASA partner on the International Space Station, along with Europe, Japan, and Canada.
Additionally, during the meeting, Vice President Harris announced new policies aimed at ensuring the safe use of space. These policies address issues such as the climate crisis and the growing problem of space debris around Earth. Meeting participants, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, emphasized the importance of international cooperation and called for an end to destructive testing.
As NASA continues its ambitious plans for moon exploration, the inclusion of international astronautics is seen as both appreciated and necessary in today’s world. The collaboration of different countries in space exploration has proven its effectiveness in the past, and involving international partners will further strengthen global cooperation in the pursuit of scientific progress beyond Earth’s orbit.
FAQ:
Q: What did NASA and the White House announce?
A: They announced an agreement to include international astronautics in future moon missions.
Q: Who chaired the National Space Council meeting?
A: Vice President Kamala Harris chaired the meeting.
Q: Which countries have signed the Artemis Accords?
A: So far, 33 countries have signed the Accords.
Definitions:
Astronaut – a person who travels in space and works aboard spacecraft
Moon mission – an expedition aimed at reaching, exploring, or colonizing the moon
Artemis – the moon exploration program conducted by NASA
The source of the article is from the blog guambia.com.uy