The Isle of Man Chapter of the Mars Society is calling on General Election candidates to back the island signing an international agreement on space exploration.

The group has written to every candidate standing in this month’s election seeking support for the Isle of Man becoming a signatory to the Artemis Accords.

The accords are an international framework setting out principles for peaceful and transparent civilian space exploration.

The Mars Society says more than 70 nations have signed up, including the UK as a founding member.

Launched by NASA in 2020 and grounded in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, the accords are non-binding and, according to the group, require no parliamentary ratification, membership fee or financial contribution.

Principles include the registration of space objects, release of scientific data and protection of space heritage sites.

With voters heading to the polls on September 24, the Manx group believes the incoming government should consider signing up before setting its legislative priorities.

It argues doing so could demonstrate support for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), while potentially helping the island attract space-sector investment and talent.

Stuart Mullan, chapter leader, said: ‘This is a low-risk, high-visibility way for the Isle of Man to say something ambitious about where it's headed.

‘Signing the Artemis Accords costs nothing and commits us to nothing beyond principles we already stand for - but it puts us on the map internationally and gives a real boost to the case for STEM here at home.’

The organisation says every declared candidate across all 12 constituencies has received the same non-partisan briefing and been invited to give their views.

It plans to continue engaging with those elected at the General Election later this month.