
Edinburgh, 9 June 2022. – The president of the French Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES) space agency, Philippe Baptiste, signed the Artemis Accords on behalf of the country, affirming its commitment to sustainable space exploration by following a common set of principles.
France agreed to promote the beneficial use of space for all of humanity prior to celebrating CNES’ 60th anniversary. The country became the 20th to sign the document and the fifth country from the European Union to do so. The Artemis Accords establish a set of guidelines for space exploration cooperation among nations participating in NASA’s lunar exploration plans.
NASA established the Artemis Accords in 2020, in coordination with the U.S. Department of State. The Artemis Accords are based on and reinforce the Outer Space Treaty of 1967. Signatory nations agree to commit to the Registration Convention, and the Rescue and Return Agreement as well.
The documents is expected to be signed by further nations to ensure a safe and peaceful future in space for the benefit of mankind.