Press Release – The Moon Village Association and Human Space Program have signed a Memorandum of Understanding
Vienna, Austria – November 16, 2023
The Moon Village Association (MVA) and The Human Space Program, Inc. (HSP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aiming to strengthen cooperation between the NGOs, particularly as it relates to the intersections between lunar exploration and environmentalism. The MoU was signed on November 5 by Giuseppe Reibaldi, President of MVA, and Frank White, President of HSP.
MVA has recently taken massive strides in this area, especially through the work of its Global Expert Group on Sustainable Lunar Activities (GEGSLA). As GEGSLA proceeds with its Operational phase, a working group dedicated to Lunar Environmental Protection has been formed to expand on the recommendations outlined in the GEGSLA Recommended Framework for Peaceful and Sustainable Lunar Activities. MVA has a vested interest in reaching both space and non-space actors in order to disseminate the GEGSLA Framework and how lunar exploration relates to sustainability on Earth.
HSP is an international initiative focusing on the broader implications of space exploration. It serves as a nexus for diverse stakeholders to come together and deliberate on the mutual impacts of space migration and the Earth’s environment. With its pivotal project, “Making Space for the Environment,” HSP aims to overcome the dichotomy between environmental and space interests, demonstrating how space initiatives can be aligned with environmental sustainability goals. Central to HSP’s vision is the holistic understanding of the solar ecosystem as an extension of our environment, advocating for responsible expansion and sustainable strategies for the future of humankind. HSP is also developing a computer-based simulation model to demonstrate the tradeoffs between sustainable space migration and the ecological carrying capacity of the Earth.
The purpose of this MoU is to strengthen collaboration between the Parties to advance the understanding of the Moon-Earth ecosystem and promote outer space as an essential aspect of our shared environment. This cooperation will emphasize the interconnectedness of space and Earth’s environmental concerns, bridging the divide between environmentalists and space enthusiasts. This partnership lays the foundation for a harmonized approach in merging space endeavors with global environmental objectives.
For further information or inquiries:
Glafki Antoniou
Management Support Officer and Public Relations
Email: gro.n1734904538oitai1734904538cossa1734904538egall1734904538ivnoo1734904538m@uoi1734904538notna1734904538.ikfa1734904538lg1734904538
About the Moon Village Association
The Moon Village Association (MVA) is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) based in Vienna, founded in 2017. Its goal is the creation of a permanent global informal forum for stakeholders like governments, industry, academia and the general public interested in the development of the Moon Village. The MVA is the assembling of all efforts from private industry, governments and others aimed to explore and use the Moon in a sustainable manner. The MVA fosters cooperation for existing or planned Moon exploration programs, be they public or private initiatives. It comprises more than 800 participants to MVA activities and 27 institutional members from more than 60 countries, representing a diverse array of technical, scientific, cultural and interdisciplinary fields. The MVA partners with non-space organizations to promote international discussions and formulation of plans to foster the development of the Moon Village, and is creating international, national and regional networks to engage civil society around the world. The Moon Village Association’s mission is unique, bridging together both spacefaring and non-spacefaring nations offering them the opportunity to play a role in its realization. There is no other organization on the international scene having such a mission.
About The Human Space Program, Inc.
Established in 2019, HSP is recognized as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization under the laws of the United States. The mission of the Human Space Program is sustainable, ethical, and inclusive stewardship of the solar ecosystem. HSP is a “central project” to develop a citizen-authored blueprint for conscious space migration and stewardship of the solar ecosystem.
