Why Did Germany Sign the Artemis Accords?

Lea Schöllhorn

doi:10.5771/9783689005047

Summary

This master's thesis provides valuable insights into the evolution of Germany's space diplomacy, appealing to readers interested in international politics, space policy and multilateralism. It examines Germany's controversial decision to join the US-led Artemis Accords in 2023, revealing the tensions between multilateral ideals and strategic interests. Drawing on neoliberal institutionalism and qualitative analysis of documents and expert interviews, the thesis uncovers the political, diplomatic and programme-related factors behind Germany’s decision. The research was conducted within the fields of international relations and space policy.

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Bibliographic data

Publication year: 2025
Publication date: 20.11.2025
ISBN-Print: 978-3-68900-503-0
ISBN-Online: 978-3-68900-504-7
Publisher: Tectum, Baden-Baden
Series: Young Academics: Outer Space
Volume: 2
Language: English
Pages: 110
Product type: Book Titles

1. Preface No access
2. List of Abbreviations No access
1. Research question No access
2. Outlining the thesis No access
3. Identifying the research gap No access
4. Interest in the German position No access
1. 2.1 Neo-liberal institutionalism No access
2. 2.2 Multilateralism No access
3. 2.3 The German government’s understanding of multilateralism No access
4. Summary No access
1. 1. Legal perspective No access
  2. Economic perspective No access
  3. Space security No access
  4. Involvement with ESA No access
  5. Space governance No access
  6. Summary No access
2. 1. Legal perspective No access
  2. Political perspective No access
  3. Geopolitics No access
  4. Positive reflections No access
  5. Summary No access
4. Hypothesis No access Pages 27 - 28
5. Methodology No access Pages 29 - 32
1. 6.1 History No access
2. 6.2 Content No access
1. 7.1 Background information No access
2. 1. Reflection No access
  2. Conclusion No access
1. 1. Relevant actors No access
  2. Principles of the Artemis Accords compared against German interests in space No access
  3. General economic and programmatic interests No access
  4. BDI position towards the Artemis Accords No access
  5. Conclusion No access
2. 1. Decision-making process No access
  2. Do the Artemis Accords allow Germany to advance its political and diplomatic interests? No access
  3. Efficiency of UNCOPOUS No access
  4. Governance of other state free spaces No access
  5. Influence at UNCOPUOS No access
  6. Conclusion No access
3. 1. 1. Background and process No access
    2. Indications of the content No access
    3. China’s space strategy No access
    4. Submissions at UNCOPUOS No access
    5. German – Chinese relations No access
    6. Similarities and differences No access
    7. Reactions No access
    8. New space race No access
    9. A viable alternative? No access
  2. 1. Background No access
    2. Content No access
    3. Comparison to the Artemis Accords No access
    4. Germany’s positionality No access
    5. A viable alternative? No access
    6. Conclusion No access
    7. No alternatives No access
  3. 1. Economic and programmatic interests No access
    2. Diplomatic and political implications No access
    3. Multilateral legitimacy No access
    4. Conclusion No access
1. Further observation No access
2. Suggestions for further research No access
1. Interviews No access
Appendix No access Pages 109 - 110