How should the moon and Mars be governed?

The Artemis Accords have emerged as a leading framework for international space governance, establishing a structured set of principles to guide peaceful and cooperative exploration beyond Earth. Initiated by NASA and first opened for signature in 2020, the agreement provides a standardized reference for aligning national space policies with shared operational norms. As governmental and commercial space activities accelerate, the Accords offer a practical foundation for coordinating missions, managing lunar operations, and developing sustainable practices in an increasingly crowded orbital environment.

The framework outlines specific commitments including transparency in space activities, equipment interoperability, emergency assistance, mandatory registration of space objects, and the responsible extraction and utilization of space resources. More than thirty nations have formally endorsed the Accords, incorporating its guidelines into bilateral partnerships and domestic regulatory structures. Signatories use the document to establish safety zones around lunar landings, harmonize technical standards, and protect sites of scientific or historical significance while facilitating collaborative research and infrastructure development.

As global investment in lunar and deep