The Artemis Accords and its multilateral approach: the role of Italy to promote a broader partnership and capacity building towards the future of Moon landing

Paper number

IAC-24,A3,1,1,x90544

Author

Mrs. Alessandra Vernile, Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI), Italy

Coauthor

Dr. Maria Chiara Noto, Italian Space Agency (ASI), Italy

Coauthor

Mr. Giancarlo La Rocca, ASI - Italian Space Agency, Italy

Coauthor

Mr. Fabrizio Lenti, Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI), Italy

Coauthor

Mr. RICCARDO INGROSSO, Italian Space Agency (ASI), Italy

Year

2024

Abstract

Returning to the Moon carries several goals: new technologies and scientific discoveries, the exploitation of resources that may be useful on Earth but also necessary for future exploration plans while studying how to live in space. But returning to the Moon also means creating a stepping stone toward deep space exploration and Mars. 
Even though more than 100 lunar missions have already been completed in recent decades, the strategic relevance of a new space race, in terms of soft power, also represents a springboard for emerging countries in the space sector. 
In the current changed geopolitical environment, space is increasingly taking a federating approach. When it comes to future lunar missions, the Artemis Accords are representative of how cooperation in space could be beneficial. At the same time, the Accords bring on a new way of developing multilateral partnerships based on bilateral channels between the US and the signatory countries. 
Italy contributes to the Artemis Accords through its expertise by also promoting and raising awareness among signatory countries of the spirit of the agreements and their goals. Such an engagement could be beneficial to facilitate the exchanges among the signatory countries but also bring on a capacity-building approach that would stimulate the development of further collaborations within the Artemis framework. 
The twofold objectives of the paper are to analyse the Artemis Accords approach to engage with new partners and how to maintain and foster the exchanges between established and developing space-faring nations. At the same time, it aims to highlight the cooperative approach embraced by Italy in supporting the Artemis Accords and how national expertise would be crucial to accomplish the next Moon landing.

Keywords: Artemis Accords, Moon, space exploration, multilateralism, Italy.

Abstract document

IAC-24,A3,1,1,x90544.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-24,A3,1,1,x90544.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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