The ability to extract and utilize resources on the Moon, Mars, and asteroids will be critical to support safe and sustainable space exploration and development.
The Artemis Accords reinforce that space resource extraction and utilization can and will be conducted under the auspices of the Outer Space Treaty, with specific emphasis on Articles II, VI, and XI.
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Article II
Outer
space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, is not subject to
national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or
occupation, or by any other means.
Article VI
States
Parties to the Treaty shall bear international responsibility for
national activities in outer space, including the moon and other
celestial bodies, whether such activities are carried on by governmental
agencies or by non-governmental entities, and for assuring that
national activities are carried out in conformity with the provisions
set forth in the present Treaty. The activities of non-governmental
entities in outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies,
shall require authorization and continuing supervision by the
appropriate State Party to the Treaty. When activities are carried on in
outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, by an
international organization, responsibility for compliance with this
Treaty shall be borne both by the international organization and by the
States Parties to the Treaty participating in such organization.
Article XI
In
order to promote international co-operation in the peaceful exploration
and use of outer space, States Parties to the Treaty conducting
activities in outer space, including the moon and other celestial
bodies, agree to inform the Secretary-General of the United Nations as
well as the public and the international scientific community, to the
greatest extent feasible and practicable, of the nature, conduct,
locations and results of such activities. On receiving the said
information, the Secretary-General of the United Nations should be
prepared to disseminate it immediately and effectively.