Space Sector Considerations
Signing the Artemis Accords might allow New Zealand the opportunity to participate in, or contribute to,
NASA’s Artemis missions. Participating in Artemis has several intangible benefits for our space sector and
some drawbacks.
The first of these is an
increase to our space sector’s reputation internationally. New Zealand would be
seen participating in the most high profile and technologically advanced space mission in recent history.
It is likely that such an association would position New Zealand as a serious and advanced space nation
for those not already aware of our activities. Many are already aware of New Zealand’s launch and satellite
capability through Rocket Lab. However, Deloitte’s report on the NZ Space Economy revealed that the
space sector is valued at NZ$1.7b and is directly responsible for 5,000 jobs. Artemis poses an opportunity
to demonstrate the full range of NZ’s capabilities.
s 9(2)(g)(i)
Australia are
planning on contributing AU$150m to Artemis in the following areas: mapping of celestial bodies; next
generation communications; remote autonomous operations; in si
s 9(2)(g)(i)
We are hosting an optical communications
workshop with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and planning to fund research in this area.
s 9(2)(g)(i)
Thirdly, there would be
improved domestic public awareness of New Zealand’s space activities.
s 9(2)(g)(i)
This would generate significant public interest in New
Zealand’s space sector.
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Launching
exploratory payloads to the Moon tends to generate a lot of public excitement as illustrated by India’s
Chandrayaan-2 and Israel’s Beresheet lunar missions in 2019. Similarly, a lunar mission from New Zealand
would likely generate a lot of positive publicity for space activities. As demonstrated by other space
missions – notably NASA’s Apollo –
New Zealand’s participation would also likely increase STEM
engagement at a secondary and tertiary education level, creating more STEM professionals that New
Zealand significantly lacks.
The aforementioned benefits are predicated on New Zealand participating in Artemis.
If New Zealand
signs the Accords but does not participate in Artemis then our industry could stil benefit from a
formalised position on space resources. The Artemis Accords present an interpretation of the Outer
Space Treaty that space resource utilisation is permissible for exploration purposes;
s 9(2)(g)(i)
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s 9(2)(g)(i)
s 6(a), 9(2)(g)(i)
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International Relations Considerations
Signing the Accords might improve international relations with Artemis partners,
s 9(2)(g)(i)
Signing does potential y pose risks to New Zealand’s international relationships though. Many countries
think that the Artemis Accords are a positive first step at a very high level,
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s 6(a)
The United Nations (UN) deals with the kinds of issues raised in Artemis, such
as space resource utilisation, through the Committee on the Peaceful Useful of Outer Space (COPUOS).
COPUOS provides a forum for large-scale multilateral discussions.
s 6(a)
Therefore, the Accords may
be viewed by some nations as an attempt to bypass the UN COPUOS process and the UN treaty-making
process. New Zealand has engaged in multilateral discussions on other significant matters. It might be
s 6(a)
s 6(a), 9(2)(g)(i)
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