Introduction

1 The main background and content of the project

DARPA believes that even though the frequency of rocket launch is rising, considering the limitation of the mass and volume of launch load, there are still many obstacles in deploying large-scale mega-structures in space. It is estimated that by 23, a space ecosystem composed of reliable logistics and facilities will be established, featuring: rapid and frequent launches and regular lunar exploration activities; Mature robots can carry out on-orbit manufacturing in space and carry out on-orbit maintenance and refueling for satellites; In-orbit and non-destructive evaluation tools can be used to monitor space manufacturing and near real-time design adjustment.

To this end, DARPA launched the "New Space and Lunar Manufacturing, Materials and Large-scale Efficient Design" (NOMAD) program, aiming at developing new materials, manufacturing technologies and efficient design methods for space and lunar surface construction, which can withstand the typical maneuvering, alteration, damage and thermal environment in space and lunar environment. "If you don't have to consider the launch restrictions, the quality of large space structures such as antennas and solar panels will be greatly improved, and the accuracy may be higher; Explore the possibility of in-situ resource development on the surface of the moon for future national defense missions; Manufacturing outside the earth can maximize quality and efficiency, and at the same time enhance the stability, agility and adaptability of various space systems. "

The plan is divided into three stages, each of which lasts for 18 months. From raw materials to the construction of large-scale structures with extremely accurate and high quality and efficiency, each stage has more and more challenging indicators: the first stage is the raw materials and design needed to manufacture a 1 MW solar cell array in space and meet the structural efficiency indicators; The focus of the second stage is to reduce risks and improve technical maturity, so as to achieve the structural goal and maintain sufficient accuracy, and realize the manufacture of a radio frequency (RF) reflector antenna with a diameter of 1 meters in space; In the third stage, the accuracy will jump, so that the RF reflection structure can be used in segmented long-wave infrared telescopes. DARPA hopes to display new materials and new manufacturing technologies for space manufacturing after the project, and the focus of the lunar surface will be more on commercial research and specific demonstrations.

2 think that the plan violates the Outer Space Treaty

Although DARPA has repeatedly stressed that the plan has nothing to do with establishing military bases or factories on the moon, it still arouses public and scholars' concerns that the plan violates the Outer Space Treaty (hereinafter referred to as the Treaty). The Treaty signed by 133 countries (including the United States) regulates how countries around the world carry out space activities, among which Article 4 explicitly prohibits the construction of military bases, facilities or fortifications on the moon or other extraterrestrial bodies.

chris johnson, legal adviser of the Secure World Foundation, believes that even if the activities of DARPA (or its contractors) on the moon are peaceful for the time being (such as refining in-situ resources into rocket fuel or other useful materials), it is still a military activity, so it is obviously prohibited; The plan on the surface of the moon is not led by NASA, nor is it part of the "Artemis" moon landing plan with international partners, nor is it any civil space activity, but only an activity carried out by the US military, taking into account military goals and objectives, which is strictly prohibited. Tania Mason-Zwan, deputy director of the Institute of International Air and Space Law at Leiden University in the Netherlands and a space lawyer, agreed. "Indeed, I think it runs counter to the Treaty.".

3 confuses the boundaries between military space and civil space and commercial space

As an international commons that does not belong to any country, space has dual political considerations. The main potential policy question is why the Ministry of National Defense, rather than NASA or the Ministry of Commerce, supports commercial companies to mine and manufacture facilities in deep space. Jessica West, a senior researcher in Canada's Project Plowshares think tank and executive editor of the "Space Security Index" project, said that from an international perspective, everything DARPA does on the moon is very bad, which makes people doubt the intention of the US space program there; "Confusing civil and commercial space with military space is the main reason why the United States accuses China and other countries. It will not build trust or confidence.".

4 international cooperation that is not conducive to the development of the moon

Some sources say that DARPA's efforts may actually undermine NASA's goal of establishing an international alliance and using the Artemis Agreement for the commercial development of the moon. When NASA seeks international support to guide the folk development activities of the moon through the Artemis Agreement, the NOMAD plan has undoubtedly played a counterproductive role; Although there are loopholes in the legal provisions, ignoring the law will not help solve the problem. Johnson said that when there are rumors that the United States wants to send military forces to the moon, no country will be eager to join the "Artemis Agreement", the "moon portal" or other international cooperation plans; Just like last year's NASA- NASA agreement, this is an unnecessary provocation; The United States can do better and only consider the purely civilian or commercial development of these technologies.

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