Two Programs, Two Visions
Artemis Accords (US-led, 2020): "safety zones" on the lunar surface, private-sector resource rights, transparency principles. As of May 2026, 35+ signatories.
ILRS — International Lunar Research Station (China-Russia led): a public-research-oriented joint platform vision. 12+ countries including Pakistan, Venezuela, Belarus, Egypt have signed cooperation agreements.
Artemis is a political framework; ILRS is an infrastructure project. This makes it hard to read what countries are actually committing to.
The Contested Ground: the Lunar South Pole
The Moon's south pole has both peaks of perpetual sunlight and craters of perpetual darkness containing water ice. The combination means energy and fuel — the prerequisites of permanent human presence. Both programs target landings in this region between 2028 and 2030.
Three Options for the Global South
01 — Single-Track Commitment
Choosing Artemis or ILRS provides rapid access but locks geopolitical alignment. UAE, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria have chosen Artemis; Pakistan and Egypt have leaned toward ILRS.
02 — Dual Membership
Some countries sign with both (e.g. Brazil, Thailand). This strategy preserves flexibility but may trigger loyalty checks at later programme phases.
03 — Third Path: Regional Coordination
Regional space coordination via D-8, ASEAN, the African Union can hedge single-country exposure. The path is not yet mature but may be decisive between 2026–2030.
Türkiye's Position
Türkiye signed the Artemis Accords in 2023 and concurrently maintains civil space dialogue with China. This balance — combined with hosting IAC 2026 Antalya — positions Türkiye as a potential broker: a practical model for the Global South.
Conclusion
The new space race will not have a single winner. The winners will be the countries that took an active part in writing the rules. Silence is not safe; it only means living under rules written by others for the next decade.
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