International Cooperation Key Focus in National Space Council Session

• Space Council: Commits to global partnerships.
• Artemis Update: Harris includes global astronauts.
• Space Diplomacy: Emphasizes Artemis Accords.

In a National Space Council meeting held on December 20, the White House emphasized the pivotal role of international cooperation in advancing the United States’ leadership in space. Although few new initiatives were announced, the meeting underscored the administration’s commitment to strengthening global partnerships in space exploration.

Vice President Kamala Harris, in her opening remarks, emphasized the significance of international collaborations and announced a notable development: the inclusion of astronauts from other countries in future NASA Artemis lunar landing missions. Harris expressed the administration’s intention to land an international astronaut on the moon by the end of the decade, marking a significant step in the Artemis program.

While specific details about the international astronaut inclusion were not provided, the meeting extensively covered ongoing initiatives in international cooperation. Discussions centered on efforts such as the Artemis Accords and U.S.-led initiatives to prohibit destructive testing of direct-ascent antisatellite weapons, highlighting the importance of diplomatic efforts in establishing these measures as international norms.

The meeting also spotlighted a previously announced partnership between NASA and the Italian space agency ASI. This collaboration involves flying a NASA Earth science instrument, the Multi-Angle Imager for Aerosols (MAIA), on an Italian satellite. The U.S. Agency for International Development will collaborate with NASA to distribute MAIA data to governments and organizations in Africa and South America, emphasizing the global impact of space exploration.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken reported “significant progress” on the ban of destructive antisatellite testing, with 36 countries joining the United States since the moratorium announcement in April 2022. The commitment to continuing diplomatic efforts in the coming year was emphasized.

The meeting also addressed American competitiveness in space, particularly in response to growing military threats from China and Russia. Concerns were raised about physical, electronic warfare, and cyber threats to ground sites and space-based infrastructure. Avril Haines, director of national intelligence, highlighted China and Russia’s heavy investments in counterspace weapons.

National security adviser Phil Gordon instructed council members to undertake various efforts related to international cooperation, including outreach on antisatellite testing bans and the practical implementation of the Artemis Accords. The meeting also addressed the need to establish minimum cybersecurity standards for space systems and a review of space-related export controls to balance U.S. industry competitiveness and national security interests.

The meeting concluded with the announcement of a new policy framework for mission authorization, aiming to guide the Commerce Department, Transportation Department, and other agencies in overseeing commercial space activities. This framework aligns with a legislative proposal issued by the White House in November, emphasizing the importance of maintaining U.S. leadership in aerospace safety and interoperability.

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