H.R. 8321 (Introduced in House) — Artemis Accords Authorization Act

Section 1 Short title

This Act may be cited as the “Artemis Accords Authorization Act”.

Sec. 2 Findings

Congress makes the following findings:

(1)

The United States has long been a global leader in space exploration, scientific discovery, and the development of technologies that benefit both national security and economic growth.

(2)

The Artemis program, led by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), represents the next phase of human space exploration, including returning humans to the Moon and establishing a sustainable presence for future missions to Mars.

(3)

The Artemis Accords were first introduced in 2020 by NASA, in coordination with the Department of State and seven other initial signatory countries, including Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.

(4)

Over the last five years, the Artemis Accords have expanded to 61 signatories.

(5)

The Artemis Accords reinforce the commitment by signatory nations to foundational space law instruments—including the Outer Space Treaty, the Registration Convention, and the Rescue and Return Agreement—while also promoting best practices and norms for responsible civil space exploration and use.

Sec. 3 Statement of policy

It is the policy of the United States—

(1)

to promote the peaceful exploration and use of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, consistent with international law;

(2)

to strengthen international cooperation through the Artemis Accords as a framework for transparency, compatibility, and responsible behavior in space;

(3)

to maintain United States leadership in civil space exploration, scientific discovery, and commercial space development;

(4)

to support the development of norms and standards that ensure the safety, sustainability, and long-term viability of space activities;

(5)

to expand participation in the Artemis Accords among allies and partners, particularly in strategically significant regions;

(6)

to counter efforts by strategic competitors to shape space governance in ways that are inconsistent with democratic values, transparency, and the rule of law; and

(7)

to advance United States national security, economic competitiveness, and diplomatic engagement through sustained leadership in space exploration initiatives.

Sec. 4 Special Coordinator for the Artemis Accords

(a)

In general— The Secretary of State is authorized to establish, carry out, and broaden the Artemis Accords espousing the principles set forth in section 3.

(b)

Special Coordinator— There shall be a Special Coordinator for the Artemis Accords, who shall be appointed by the Secretary of State and shall report to Assistant Secretary for Oceans, International Environment and Scientific Affairs.

(c)

Duties— The Special Coordinator shall be responsible for—

(1)

leading diplomatic efforts to expand participation in the Artemis Accords;

(2)

coordinating United States engagement with foreign governments, international organizations, and commercial partners regarding civil space cooperation;

(3)

supporting the development of international norms governing lunar activities, space resource extraction, and space traffic management;

(4)

coordinating with relevant United States agencies, including—

(A)

the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA);

(B)

the Department of Commerce;

(C)

the Department of Defense; and

(D)

the Office of Space Commerce;

(5)

engaging with United States industry stakeholders to advance public-private partnerships in support of the Artemis program; and

(6)

advising the Department on strategies to ensure that United States leadership in space is aligned with broader foreign policy and national security objectives.

Sec. 5 Report

(a)

In general— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for four years, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator of NASA, shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, a report that includes—

(1)

a list of countries participating in the Artemis Accords and any new signatories during the reporting period;

(2)

a description of diplomatic efforts undertaken by the United States to expand participation in the Artemis Accords;

(3)

an assessment of compliance by participating countries with the principles of the Artemis Accords;

(4)

a description of ongoing and planned cooperative activities related to lunar exploration and other space missions;

(5)

an evaluation of the role of United States commercial entities in Artemis-related partnerships;

(6)

an assessment of challenges to international cooperation in space, including geopolitical competition, regulatory barriers, and technological compatibility;

(7)

a description of efforts by the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation to influence global space governance and how such efforts impact United States interests; and

(8)

recommendations to strengthen United States leadership in international space cooperation.

(b)

Form— The report required by subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.

Sec. 6 Strategy

(a)

Sense of Congress— It is the sense of Congress that—

(1)

low-earth orbit satellite technology is crucial for maintaining United States leadership in the 21st century in both military and civil technology domains;

(2)

low-earth orbit satellite technology has potential to serve as an anti-censorship and pro free speech technology around the world;

(3)

low-earth orbit satellite technology has incredible humanitarian potential to connect hundreds of millions people to the internet and the modern global economy; and

(4)

instruments of the United States Government should be used to promote the export, use, and potential of American low-earth orbit satellite technology.

(b)

Strategy— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Chief Executive Officer of the United States International Development Finance Corporation, the Director of the United States Trade and Development Agency, and the heads of other Federal departments and agencies, as appropriate, shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a strategy on the integration of low-earth orbit satellite technologies and high-altitude platform systems into United States foreign policy.

(c)

Elements— The strategy required by subsection (b) shall include efforts and plans to—

(1)

use feasibility studies to promote low-earth orbit satellite technology as a form of connectivity;

(2)

offer loans, guarantees, insurance or other financial products to help countries procure low-earth orbit satellite technologies;

(3)

directly provide low-earth orbit satellite technologies to countries when consistent with the United States’ national interest;

(4)

regulate, as appropriate, the export of controlled low-earth orbit satellite technologies to ensure continued American technological leadership and the misuse of the technology inconsistent with our policies and values; and

(5)

impose possible restrictions on strategic competitor’s alternatives to American low-earth orbit satellite technologies.

(d)

Form— The strategy required by subsection (b) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.

Artemis Accords Authorization Act