The Artemis Accords propose "safety zones" that would surround future moon bases to prevent interference from rival nations or companies operating nearby, according to sources familiar with the pact.

The safety zones - which would vary in size depending on the operation - would help coordination between other groups in space without claiming territory as sovereign, one source told Reuters.

"The ides is if you are going to be coming near someone's operations, and they've declared safety zones around it, then you need to reach out to them in advance, consult, and figure out how you can do that safely for everyone," he said.

The agreement was named after the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's new Artemis moon program.

The pact would be the latest effort to garner support for NASA's plan to put humans and space stations on the moon within the next decade.