Space Cafe “33 minutes with Artemis BRICS” – Can the Global South Shape the Moon Accords? – recap

This Space Cafe “33 minutes with Artemis BRICS” featureed Rodrigo Leonardi, Director of the Brazilian Space Agency, and Mike Gold, Chief Growth Officer at Redwire Corporation, in conversation with Dr Emma Gatti, Editor-in-Chief at SpaceWatch.Global.

Artemis BRICS – Can the Global South Shape the Moon Accords?

The Artemis Accords, boasting a membership of 36 nations, encompass a diverse array of Western and non-Western states, with signatories from Latin America, the Asia-Pacific region, Africa, and the Middle East. Notably, key members of the Artemis Accords, including Brazil, India, and the UAE, also hold membership in BRICS—a prominent intergovernmental organization comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.

Within the BRICS framework, certain member states, such as Egypt, Russia, and South Africa, have aligned themselves with the Chinese-led International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) initiative, thus introducing potential complexities and conflicts of interest. Presently, no nation has affixed its signature to both the Artemis Accords and the ILRS, prompting inquiries into the feasibility of concurrently adhering to both frameworks. This raises critical questions regarding the manner in which BRICS nations will navigate their dual commitments to lunar exploration endeavors and Earth-based alliances.

Furthermore, the United States faces the strategic challenge of managing diplomatic relationships with nations that maintain ties with both the US and China in the context of lunar governance. As such, understanding the interplay between Earth geopolitics and lunar alliances emerges as a paramount concern in shaping the future trajectory of space governance.

This Space Cafe “33 minutes with Artemis BRICS”  was conducted on 26 March 2024