Belgium has officially become the 34th country to sign the Artemis Accords, signalling its commitment to responsible and sustainable behaviour in the realm of space exploration.
Hadja Lahbib, Belgium’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Thomas Dermine, Secretary of State for Science Policy, represented the Belgian government in the signing ceremony.
The Artemis Accords, introduced by the United States in 2020, provide a set of non-binding guidelines for nations engaging in space activities.
These accords build upon the principles established in the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 and other related agreements.
Covering a wide range of aspects, from the registration of space objects to the release of scientific data and the utilization of space resources, the accords aim to foster collaboration and ensure a peaceful and sustainable future for space exploration.
Minister Lahbib emphasized the importance of the signing, stating, “The signing of the Artemis Accords reflects our ongoing commitment to sustainable and responsible space and will strengthen our ties with international partners.”
She further highlighted the potential economic opportunities for Belgian companies with expertise in the space sector.
Thomas Dermine echoed these sentiments, noting that signing the accords is a cooperative step and a crucial condition for Belgium’s potential participation in the Artemis program, NASA’s initiative for human lunar exploration.
He mentioned that joining the Artemis Accords will allow Belgium to actively participate in the working group of states aligned with these principles.
The signing is seen as a crucial step for Belgium’s space ambitions, particularly regarding human lunar exploration.
Dermine added, “Signing up to the Artemis Accords is also a necessary and important condition for the possible participation of a Belgian astronaut in a mission under the Artemis program.”
Belgium boasts one astronaut, Raphaël Liégeois, selected for the European Space Agency’s 2022 class.
Belgium, a significant contributor to the European Space Agency (ESA), had pledged 946 million euros ($1.03 billion) over three years at the 2022 ministerial meeting.
This commitment made Belgium the fifth-largest contributor among ESA member states, following Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
The signing of the Artemis Accords solidifies Belgium’s position as a responsible and collaborative player in the global space community.
With this development, Belgium joins a select group of nations actively participating in the Artemis Accords.
Notably, Redwire, a prominent space technology company with a facility in Belgium near Antwerp, is contributing to the development of the lunar Gateway’s I-Hab international habitation module.
Mike Gold, Chief Growth Officer at Redwire and a former NASA official involved in creating the accords, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “I’m thrilled for Belgium to become the first nation in 2024 to sign the Artemis Accords.”
Belgium’s decision to join the Artemis Accords has broader implications for the European space landscape.
Twelve out of the European Space Agency’s 22 member states have now signed the accords, along with eleven of the 27 European Union member states.
This growing alignment underscores a shared commitment among European nations towards responsible space exploration and cooperation.
As Belgium takes this significant leap towards responsible space exploration, eyes are now on the nation’s future contributions to global space endeavours and potential involvement in upcoming Artemis missions.
The Artemis Accords continue to serve as a beacon for nations seeking to explore space collaboratively, ensuring a peaceful and sustainable future beyond our planet.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
