Your support = more science, more stars, more wonder. Donate to EarthSky and be part of something bigger.<\/strong><\/p>\n In 2020, NASA and the U.S. Department of State led an effort to establish guidelines for human expansion into space. Working with international partners, they came up with the Artemis Accords. NASA describes the accords as: <\/p>\n \u2026 a common set of principles to enhance the governance of the civil exploration and use of outer space.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n As of late September 2026, 74 countries have signed the Artemis Accords. There are some notable exceptions, including Russia and China.<\/p>\n While the rules are for space in general, they are largely focused on humans\u2019 expansion onto the moon. Thus, they are named for NASA\u2019s Artemis program, which currently aims to have humans standing on the moon again in early 2028.<\/p>\n The Artemis Accords are a set of nonbinding principles for how countries should cooperate in space. The accords build on the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. NASA focuses on a number of key areas, including:<\/p>\n So, for example, the accords call for protecting historic sites such as the Apollo landing sites. They also support the use of space resources, such as lunar water or asteroid materials, provided those activities comply with international law.<\/p>\n Humanity suddenly has many plans for expanding into space. And it\u2019s not just countries, but private companies with plans as well. So the intention here is to make space safer and more cooperative.<\/p>\n For example, if two nations are operating in the same area of the moon, the accords call for them to share information and coordinate their activities to avoid harmful interference. Temporary safety zones<\/em> can help accomplish that without claiming ownership of lunar territory. <\/p>\n The accords don\u2019t replace the Outer Space Treaty or create a new international space law. Instead, they just provide a common framework for putting responsible practices into action. As NASA puts it, the goal is a \u201csafe, peaceful and prosperous future in space.\u201d<\/p>\n There are criticisms and questions surrounding the Artemis Accords. For one, the accords aren\u2019t a binding law but set of agreements. Plus, the Artemis Accords don\u2019t regulate private companies directly. As in, no private companies are signing the accords. Instead, countries sign the accords and are responsible for ensuring that companies operating under their jurisdiction follow the rules.<\/p>\n So, who gets to make the rules for space? The United States is doing much of the steering on the accords. But should it be an international organization, such as the United Nations? The UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space is already working on possible international principles governing space-resource activities. Some delegations at the United Nations have argued that developing countries should not be left behind or excluded from the benefits of space exploration.<\/p>\n A second question is on who gets access to valuable lunar resources. How should those resources be governed? The UN discussions have included calls for rules addressing issues such as sustainability, access, benefit sharing and the rights of countries without the ability to conduct space-resource missions themselves.<\/p>\n Finally, there is the idea of safety zones. The accords allow temporary zones around lunar operations to prevent interference. But the Outer Space Treaty says no country can claim sovereignty over the moon or appropriate it through occupation or use. And couldn\u2019t some countries make a temporary zone that eventually functions like a territorial claim?<\/p>\n While some framework for cooperation in space is necessary, it seems hammering out the details will be a debate for years to come.<\/p>\n Bottom line: The Artemis Accords are a set guidelines for peaceful space exploration. But questions remain about who makes the rules and controls space resources.<\/p>\n <\/div>\nThe Artemis Accords are rules for a new moon era<\/h3>\n
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What are the Artemis Accords?<\/h3>\n
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![\"Closeup](\"https:\/\/earthsky.org\/upl\/2026\/09\/Artemis-Accords-moon-and-Mars-NASA-e1790252911141.png\")
Questions surrounding the Artemis Accords<\/h3>\n
![\"Moon](\"https:\/\/earthsky.org\/upl\/2026\/09\/shackleton_split_final_print-e1790253920103.webp\")