Report of the ECSL Webinar on Lunar Exploration and ESA / NASA Cooperation
The ECSL organised a special webinar dedicated to the way forward regarding future lunar exploration. ESA and NASA are well committed to sustainable and cooperative lunar exploration made possible by cooperation – not only with their respective space agencies but also with the private sector. New commercial capabilities will offer many new opportunities to explore – and to expand economic activity. Both agencies will continue to explore scientific collaboration on payloads and future missions to the Moon. This webinar delved into both programmatic and legal aspects.
The ESA/NASA cooperation and collaboration to probe the mysteries of the Moon and to use insights found as a springboard towards humankind’s future in deep space is one of the exciting projects that we will get to see results from in the next years. Both agencies have in the past exchanged statements highlighting a common interest in accessing the Moon, driven by scientific discovery and support for private-sector capabilities, and collaborating on mission services on the lunar surface and in the vicinity of the Moon.
The webinar saw four experts on ESA/NASA cooperation share their different viewpoints pertaining to the planned exploration activities. ECSL veteran and Head of ESA's Public International Law Division, Alexander Soucek, gave an introduction into basic space law principles and treaties governing Outer Space exploration, highlighting areas that are not governed by legal regimes and hinting at non-legally binding instruments and political principles. Valerie Zinck-Dasmien, a Coordination Team Leader from ESA's Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration gave an in-depth insight into the organisational and programmatic aspects related to the different missions intended to propell Europe into a new era of space exploration, including Europe's own ride to the Moon, flying ESA & NASA astronauts to the Moon on the Orion Service Modules and building the first Moon research station as part of the Lunar Gateway project.
Rebecca Bresnik, Associate Chief Counsel for International Matters at NASA, delved into the Artemis Accords and their importance for future cooperation by NASA and its partners. A set of political principles, the Accords have seen a rising number of signatories across the world, including some ESA member states who have signed the accords in their own capacity. The importance of understanding the exact scope and nature of the principles will be important for lawyers dealing with all aspects of human exploration of the Moon. Frank Riemann, Legal Officer for Human Spaceflight in ESA's Public International Law Division, showcased the legal aspects of the long-term ESA/NASA cooperation and elements of strategic importance to the missions. He highlighted the legal elements of the Gateway project essential for the support of robots and humans on the legal surface.
Afterwards, the questions from the audience were posed to the speakers by Rosanna Hoffmann & Hristina Talkova. The online webinar saw both ECSL members and space law enthusiasts new to the Centre join in discussing these important matters.
