Manx space group urges election candidates to back treaty
The Isle of Man Mars Society is urging politicians to sign an international space exploration agreement.
Manx space group calls on election candidates to support treaty
A giant scale model of Mars was on show at Peel Cathedral for a Mars Society event.
Candidates in the Isle of Man's general election have been sent letters urging them to support the island signing an international space treaty.
The Manx chapter of the Mars Society wants the island to become a signatory to the Artemis Accords, a framework for peaceful, transparent space exploration that is now supported by more than 70 nations, including the UK as a founding member.
The accords, introduced by Nasa in 2020, are non-binding and do not require parliamentary ratification, a membership fee or any financial contribution to sign.
Chapter leader Stuart Mullan said it was a "low-risk, high-visibility way" for the island to demonstrate ambition in space projects.
"Signing the Artemis Accords costs nothing and commits us to nothing beyond principles we already stand for," said Mullan.
"Joining the accords would put us on the map internationally and gives a real boost to the case for developing more STEM [science, technology, engineering, and mathematics] projects on the island."
The Isle of Man's Space Registry manages satellite filings for some major space operators.
"Nobody is suggesting the Isle of Man starts launching rockets," Mullan continued.
"All we ask is that candidates consider promoting the Isle of Man as an attractive base for STEM companies and businesses, the kind that bring skilled, well-paid jobs the Island badly needs right now.
"The space sector globally needs the same things the Island already provides for aircraft and shipping.
"Finance, legal services, tax expertise, insurance, and regulatory know-how. It would be a strange decision not to look seriously at whether the Isle of Man can capture a share of an industry that's growing this fast. We think it can."
Elon Musk's Space X company runs a satellite ground station on the island, while satellite giants including SES, Inmarsat, Avanti and Telesat have all registered spacecraft through the Isle of Man's filing system.
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