The impact of space exploration policies on international cooperation

The International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), led by China and Russia, plans to establish a lunar base post-2030, involving cooperation with other nations to advance lunar exploration.

The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 establishes that space is for peaceful use and exploration by all nations, encouraging international cooperation and prohibiting weapons of mass destruction in space.

Political and diplomatic tensions, such as shifts in funding or international relations, can complicate collaborative space projects, as seen with Russia’s role in the ISS amid geopolitical strains.

India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission achieved the first-ever landing at the lunar south pole in August 2023, highlighting its contributions to global space exploration and cooperation.

The Artemis program is a NASA-led initiative with international partners to return humans to the Moon, with milestones like the Artemis-3 crewed landing planned for 2026, promoting global cooperation.

The Wolf Amendment, enacted in 2011, prevents NASA from using government funds for bilateral projects with China without FBI and Congressional approval, due to concerns about espionage and human rights.

International cooperation in space allows countries to share the high costs of missions, making ambitious projects like the ISS financially feasible while fostering diplomatic ties.

China and the European Space Agency (ESA) launched complementary satellites in the early 2000s (China’s Double Star and ESA’s Cluster) to study Earth’s magnetic field, showcasing cooperation despite political differences.

The Artemis Accords, initiated by NASA in 2020, are a set of non-binding principles signed by 43 countries (as of 2025) to promote peaceful and cooperative space exploration, particularly for the Artemis program aiming to return humans to the Moon.

The International Space Station (ISS) is a collaborative effort among multiple nations, including the United States, Russia, Japan, Canada, and the European Space Agency, demonstrating how space exploration fosters diplomatic and scientific partnerships.