Bangladesh Joins Artemis Accords for Peaceful Space Exploration

Why in the News ?

Bangladesh has become the 54th nation to sign the Artemis Accords with NASA, marking its commitment to peaceful, non-military space exploration. This move opens doors for technological, scientific, and economic collaboration, boosting Bangladesh’s space research capabilities via SPARRSO-NASA cooperation.

Bangladesh’s Participation:

  • Bangladesh signed the Artemis Accords as the 54th member on January 21, 2025.
  • The signing took place in Dhaka in the presence of:
    • BIDA Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun
    • US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Tracey Ann Jacobson
    • Defence Secretary Md Ashraf Uddin
  • Other signatories include countries like the USA, UK, India, UAE, Japan, Australia, etc.

Benefits & Future Prospects:

  • The move will lead to technology transfer, economic partnerships, and scientific cooperation.
  • Strengthens ties between Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organisation (SPARRSO) and NASA.
  • Expected to enhance SPARRSO’s capacity and fast-track Bangladesh’s space missions.
  • Positions Bangladesh in a prestigious global alliance in outer space governance.

About the Artemis Accords :

●  Initiated in October 2020 by NASA, the Artemis Accords are a set of non-binding international agreements.

●  Aimed at promoting peaceful, transparent, and cooperative civil space exploration.

●  Signatories commit to space resource sharing, interoperability, and responsible behavior in outer space.