U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has reaffirmed NASA’s commitment to an international collaboration in its Artemis program during the third meeting of the National Space Council (NSC). Harris announced the intention to land an international astronaut on the moon’s surface by the end of the decade as part of the Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the moon and prepare for future missions to Mars. NASA is actively engaging in partnerships with international space agencies, including the European Space Agency (ESA), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
Artemis 1, the uncrewed mission, has already taken place, while Artemis 2, set to send three NASA astronauts and one from CSA around the moon, is planned for late 2024 or 2025. Surface missions, starting with Artemis 3 near the lunar south pole, are scheduled for 2025 or 2026. The following missions, Artemis 4 and Artemis 5, will include European astronauts, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the program. The Artemis Accords, guiding responsible lunar exploration, have received support from 33 nations.
During the NSC meeting, Harris highlighted the significance of international partnerships in space exploration. She stressed the critical importance of collaboration and noted that space is now considered an essential warfighting domain integral to national security. Adm. Chris Grady, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, emphasized the importance of space mastery for informed decision-making, precision effects, and global defense. The meeting also marked the fourth anniversary of the establishment of the U.S. Space Force, which plays a vital role in protecting critical space systems and fostering collaboration with commercial industry, allies, and partners.