By 
September 29th, 2023
Image credit: NASA
NASA’s Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy has issued a report — Artemis, Ethics and Society: Synthesis from a Workshop — focused on two key study questions:
1) How should NASA consider the ethical, legal, and societal implications of the Artemis and Moon to Mars efforts?
2) What are the key ethical and societal implications that need consideration?
Image credit: NASA
Open to interpretation
Among a host of report observations, participants flagged the fact that the Outer Space Treaty, National Aeronautics and Space Act, and Artemis Accords all call for space exploration to be done for the benefit of all humankind.
“However, what that means for NASA is very much open to interpretation, and there are many questions that this simple statement raises,” the report notes.
Image credit: NASA
Furthermore, pressing ethical issues may emerge unexpectedly as a second-order effect of NASA decisions.
Sanctity of the Moon
“In light of this, proactive exploration of future ethical and societal issues is needed. For example, a cultural sensitivity about commercial payloads with human remains flying alongside NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) deliveries is a key example discussed in the report and involves diffuse responsibilities,” the report points out.
Image credit: NASA
While NASA has said it would not send human remains to the Moon without consulting U.S. tribal nations, “the CLPS initiative’s funding of commercial deliveries on private landers has enabled non-NASA payloads, including human remains to become manifested on these private flights,” notes the report.
“Some cultures see the Moon as having spiritual significance and believe placing human remains on the Moon can disturb the sanctity of the Moon,” points out the report.
It is noted in the report that the views and options offered represent those of the participants at the workshop, and do not necessarily reflect the views of NASA or the U.S. Government.
To read the full document — Artemis, Ethics and Society: Synthesis from a Workshop – go to:
Posted in Space News
