In a significant development for international space cooperation, Finland has signed the Artemis Accords, becoming the 53rd nation to join the program
This collaborative effort between Finland and NASA, along with the contributions of other signatories, promises a new era of scientific discovery and exploration for the benefit of humanity.
What are the Artemis Accords?
The Artemis Accords are a set of principles established in 2020 by the United States, led by NASA and the Department of State, along with seven other founding signatories.
The Accords outline a framework for the peaceful and responsible exploration of space, emphasising scientific collaboration, operational safety, and the preservation of the space environment for the benefit of all humankind.
Finland’s commitment to space exploration
Finland’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Wille Rydman, signed the Artemis Accords during the ceremony, signifying the nation’s commitment to playing a vital role in future space endeavours.
“Finland has been an active participant in the space exploration community for decades,” Minister Rydman remarked, “contributing advancements and technology through our esteemed companies and research institutions.
Signing the Artemis Accords aligns seamlessly with Finland’s recently updated space strategy, emphasising the importance of international cooperation and fostering strong partnerships with the United States and our allies.
This collaboration has the potential to unlock immense opportunities for the Finnish space sector within the Artemis programme and the wider era of space exploration.
A legacy of collaboration between Finland and NASA
The signing ceremony marks a new chapter in Finland and NASA’s longstanding and successful collaboration. Finland has actively contributed to the Artemis program by participating in the Intuitive Machines-2 mission, a lunar delivery initiative under NASA’s Artemis campaign and the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program.
The Finnish company Nokia, through its U.S. subsidiary Nokia of America, provides a crucial lunar LTE/4G communication system for the mission. This system, developed through NASA’s Tipping Point opportunity and managed by the Space Technology Mission Directorate, holds immense potential in facilitating extensive lunar exploration for human and robotic missions.
Finland’s commitment to space exploration extends beyond the Artemis program. The Finnish Meteorological Institute was pivotal in supplying the pressure and humidity measurement instruments for the Environmental Monitoring Station instrument suite currently operational aboard NASA’s Curiosity rover on Mars.
The significance of the Artemis Accords
The Artemis Accords serve as a cornerstone for establishing a unified global framework for space exploration activities. By adhering to the principles outlined in the Accords, signatories commit to:
- The peaceful utilisation of outer space
- Transparency regarding space activities
- Interoperability of systems
- Emergency assistance to astronauts
- Debris mitigation strategies
- The sharing of scientific data
With Finland joining the Artemis Accords, the international community takes a significant step forward in realising the collective vision of a sustainable and prosperous future in space.
The collaborative effort embodied by the Accords paves the way for scientific discoveries, technological advancements, and a deeper understanding of our place in the universe.
