Lunar Governance and the Case for Multilateral Rulemaking

Paper: GS – III, Subject: Science and Technology, Topic: Space Technology, Issue: Global Governance of the Moon.

Context:

As countries prepare to return to the Moon and use its resources, an important question arises: Who will make the rules? The issue is whether a few powerful countries should decide, or whether all nations should participate through global institutions.

Key Takeaways:

BACKGROUND

• Outer space is not like land on Earth. It is treated as a shared area belonging to all humanity, not owned by any one country (global commons).
• The Outer Space Treaty (1967) clearly states that:
  • No country can claim the Moon or any planet as its own
  • Space must be used only for peaceful purposes
  • Countries are responsible even for private companies operating in space
• Over time, additional rules were created:
  • Countries must help astronauts in danger (Rescue Agreement)
  • Countries are responsible for damage caused by their space objects (Liability Convention)
  • All space objects must be registered (Registration Convention)
• Later, the Moon Agreement (1979) said that:
  • Moon resources belong to all humanity
  • Benefits should be shared globally
  • But major countries did not accept this fully
• Recently, new arrangements like the Artemis Accords have emerged:
  • These are agreements between selected countries for Moon missions
  • They focus on practical cooperation but are not truly global rules

INDIA’S POSITION:

1. India supports peaceful use of outer space and strengthens international cooperation.
2. At the same time, India is also promoting private sector participation through IN-SPACe.
3. India is also expanding its technological and strategic space capabilities.
4. Overall, India follows a balanced approach combining global cooperation with national interest.

WAY FORWARD:

1. Strengthen inclusive global governance to ensure all nations participate in space rule-making.
2. Establish clear international laws on space resource extraction and benefit-sharing.
3. Preserve the Moon as a global common and prevent resource colonisation.
4. Regulate private space companies to ensure accountability and fair competition.
5. Prevent militarisation of space and avoid an arms race beyond Earth.
6. Ensure equitable access and fair benefits for developing countries.
7. Promote international cooperation through joint missions, data sharing, and technology exchange.

Source: (The Hindu)

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Lunar Governance and the Case for Multilateral Rulemaking