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The first rule of Moon Fight Club is simple. Don’t tell anyone about Moon Flight Club!
Okay, I’m just kidding, I couldn’t refuse to open with a joke.
Apparently NASA has established a whole new set of moon shooting rules.
The illustrious space agency has published a set of guidelines for its Artemis moon landing program, based on the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and other agreements, The Indian Express reported.
So far, eight countries have signed these so-called Artemis Accords.
Among the main rules: Do not fight or litter. And don’t trespass on lunar historic sites like the Apollo 11 Tranquility Base.
Founding members include the United States, Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said he expects more countries to join the effort to return astronauts to the moon by 2024, The Indian Express reported.
It promises to be the largest coalition for a manned spaceflight program in history, according to Bridenstine, and is expected to pave the way for eventual expeditions to Mars.
It is important not only to travel to the moon “with our astronauts, but that we bring our values,” said NASA acting head of international and interagency relations, Mike Gold.
Rule No. 1: Everyone must come in peace. Other rules:
- Secrecy is prohibited and all thrown objects must be identified and registered;
- All members agree to assist with astronaut emergencies;
- Space systems must be universal so that everyone’s equipment is compatible and scientific data must be shared;
- Historic sites must be preserved and any resulting space debris must be properly disposed of;
- Rovers and other spacecraft cannot jeopardize their missions if others get too close;
- No Barry Manilow music! (It’s a joke).
Violators could be asked to leave, according to Bridenstine.
The coalition may say, “Look, you’re on this show with the rest of us, but you’re not following the same rules,” Bridenstine said.
The United States is the only country to put humans on the moon – 12 men from 1969 to 1972, The Indian Express reported.
Russia is still undecided, of course.
The head of the country’s space agency, Dmitry Rogozin, told a virtual meeting of the International Astronautical Congress that the Artemis program is focused on the United States and that he would prefer a model of cooperation similar to the International Space Station, The Indian Express reported.
China, meanwhile, is out at all.
The law prohibits NASA, at least for now, from signing bilateral agreements with China.
However, they are thinking of putting their own man on the south pole of the moon “within the next 10 years” (2029-2030).
