With regard to technology, the Artemis Program is about new achievements (and record numbers), advances and inventions. At the same time, the express objective of Artemis is to also serve as a blueprint for the new space exploration using permanent base camps occupied by humans.

This objective gains particular significance under international law, if one looks at the signatory states of the ARTEMIS ACCORDS. This framework contract serves a shared vision for principles to create a safe and transparent environment, which facilitates exploration, science and commercial activities for all of humanity to enjoy.

The signatory states are Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, France, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Poland, Republic of Korea, Romania, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States of America. The Artemis Accords are grounded in the Outer Space Treaty of 1967.

The approach of NASA how to solve the technical challenges is in this case an international partnership with three partner institutions, ESA, JAXA und CESA. For example, the module of the new Orion spacecraft responsible for propulsion, energy and heat control, positioning and life-support systems has been manufactured in Bremen, Germany and is called European Service Module (ESM).
What has developed here is an international exchange of technology, which has also led to technology spinoffs outside of the aerospace industry already, f. ex. in the automotive industry.

Then there are also challenging organizational aspects of this innovative future- related project. The adjustment to living in outer space is already hard enough on an objective level. But the “human factor” is certainly as hard to facilitate. The astronaut Kayla Barron offered the following cue in the NASA live stream:

The key requirements to become an astronaut are, apart from good health, academic education and professional experience, in particular also perseverance and team spirit (“awesome team players“).

Since the safe return of the Orion on December 11th. 2022, it is fair to say that this innovative “future- related project” is successfully shaping our future reality.

Ultimately, even in the case of this innovative future- related project some of the implementation aspects resemble the approaches commonly considered in “normal” business operations. NASA did not invent concepts such as interconnected technology and team orientation. And, contrary to the question of access to the Moon, the access to national and international markets can, albeit its equal legal complexity with all the intricacies of laws, be regarded generally as regulated in a sufficiently reliable way.

Therefore, the recommendation even for innovative legal projects is a state-of-the-art legal advice using modern technology communication and research tools, paired with a pro-active and attentive approach of support and the dedication for the extra mile.

Please rest assured of our continuing future-orientated assistance. We wish you good health, happiness and success in 2023!