Germany joins NASA’s Artemis Accords

In a recent development, Germany has officially joined the Artemis Accords, becoming the 29th nation to participate in this international initiative led by the United States and coordinated with NASA and the US Department of State.

From left to right, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Matthias Maurer, NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, National Space Council (NSpC) Executive Secretary Chirag Parikh, Federal Government Coordinator of German Aerospace Policy Anna Christmann, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, Director General of the German Space Agency at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) Walther Pelzer, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Jennifer R. Littlejohn, German Ambassador to the United States Andreas Michaelis, and ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst pose for a group photo during an Artemis Accords signing ceremony, Thursday, September 14, 2023, at the German Ambassador’s Residence in Washington. (NASA)

NASA announced on Thursday that Germany has become the 29th country to join the United States-led Artemis Accords, aimed at establishing guidelines for the peaceful utilization of outer space.

“During a ceremony at the German Ambassador’s Residence in Washington on Thursday, Germany became the 29th country to sign the Artemis Accords. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson participated in the signing ceremony for the agency, and Director General of the German Space Agency at DLR [German Aerospace Center] Dr. Walther Pelzer signed on behalf of Germany,” NASA said in a press release.

During the signing event, Nelson expressed his excitement at the inclusion of Germany into the Artemis Accords group.

“Germany has long been one of NASA’s closest and most capable international partners, and their signing today demonstrates their leadership now and into the future – a future defined by limitless possibilities in space and the promise of goodwill here on Earth,” NASA quoted Nelson as saying.

In 2020, NASA, working alongside the US Department of State, founded the Artemis Accords with seven other initial member nations. These accords aim to uphold what the US government defines as “optimal guidelines and ethical standards” for conducting operations and endeavors in space.

The US government characterizes the Artemis Accords as a collection of non-binding principles designed “to steer responsible and sustainable civil space exploration”, while also reinforcing and putting into action important commitments outlined in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.

According to the US State Department, these principles encompass aspects such as openness, peaceful intent, the registration of space objects, and the sharing of scientific information to enhance the predictability and safety of the space environment.

US ‘ready to fight’ China, Russia in space race using military means

The United States is “ready to fight in space,” a senior US military official has lately said, confirming Washington’s intentions to turn the out-of-orbit technology race into a military conflict, as reported by The Guardian.

Brigadier General Jesse Morehouse at US Space Command – the military arm of the American space program – considered that the United States was left with “no choice” but to respond to China and Russia’s aspirations to become space powers by 2050.

“The United States of America is ready to fight tonight in space if we have to,” he said in a press briefing in the US embassy in London.

“If someone were to threaten the United States of America, or any of our interests, including those of our allies and partners with whom we have treaties of mutual defense support, we are ready to fight tonight.”

Recently, a senior #US military official stated that his country is “ready to fight in space,” confirming #Washington‘s intentions to turn the out-of-orbit technology race into a military conflict. pic.twitter.com/tLZvtScAJM

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 2, 2023

The US, China, India, and Russia have publicly tested their anti-satellite missile technologies by destroying their own satellites in space with missiles launched from the ground.

Recalling Russia’s ASAT in 2007, the general said, “When you create that debris cloud and it lingers on orbit for decades, it’s almost like detonating a nuclear weapon in your own backyard,” adding, “You pay the price too.”