21st September 2023 (10 Topics)
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Taking a giant leap for a new ethics in outer space
Context:
After the success of space mission like Chandrayaan-3 by India, the other countries are also trying to reach out the places unexplored in outer space, especially on moon like what we did with Antarctica. Hence, it raises question on human political instinct to remain first and its ethics.
Territorial Claims in Antarctica
- Human Instinct for Exploration: There is a human instinct for exploration and the desire to claim territories before others, highlighting its political significance.
- Race to the South Pole: As previously we saw the historical race to the South Pole in the early 20th century between British naval officer Robert Scott and Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen.
- Territorial Claims in Antarctica: Presently, several countries, including Norway and Britain, claimed territories in Antarctica after these explorations. Additionally, it questions the purpose of these claims on an inhospitable continent.
The Antarctic Treaty and Regulation
- The Antarctic Treaty: The International Geophysical Year (IGY) in 1958 has led to concerns about Cold War rivalry and the need for regulation in Antarctica.
- Provisions of the Treaty: It prohibited nuclear testing, military operations, economic exploitation, and further territorial claims. Currently, 54 parties, including India, are part of the Treaty.
- Challenges in Maintaining Ecological Integrity: It raises questions about whether the benefits of scientific research justify the ecological footprint on the continent.
Need for Ethical Standards
- Exploration of Outer Space: It highlights the race to explore the moon, with India's Chandrayaan-3 being one of the missions.
- The Moon Agreement: It is the time to overview the Moon Agreement, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1979, which emphasizes peaceful use of the moon, the common heritage of mankind, and the need for international regulation of resource exploitation.
- Crafting a New Ethical Framework: There is a need for a new ethical framework for human activity in outer space, aligning with the moral responsibility to protect outer space from militarization and debris.
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