Bangladesh and the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) signed the Artemis Accords on Tuesday, marking a significant step in non-military space exploration.

Representatives from the Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO) and NASA signed the accords on behalf of their respective organisations.

The signing ceremony took place on the second day of the four-day Bangladesh Investment Summit at the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka.

Bangladesh Investment and Development Authority (BIDA) Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun and Charge D'affaires of the US Embassy Dhaka Tracey Ann Jacobson were, among others, present.

The purpose of Artemis Accords are a practical set of non-binding principles, guidelines, and best practices grounded in the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and other Celestial Bodies (Outer Space Treaty), and other existing instruments such as the Registration Convention and Agreement on the Rescue and Return of Astronauts, to ensure safe, transparent, and sustainable civil space exploration.

With a view to promoting space science and technology, Bangladesh established the Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization, SPARRSO in 1980. Since then, Bangladesh follows the international rules and norms on the peaceful use of space.

In signing the Artemis Accords, countries have committed to follow these principles, the implementation of which is designed to promote safe, sustainable, and transparent activities in space.

The accords were established in 2020 by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and several other countries.

As of January 21, 2025, 53 countries have signed the accords, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, India, United Arab Emirates, Australia and Several European, Latin American countries. By signing the Accords Bangladesh will be a part of a prestigious international space alliance.

Bangladesh will be benefited in terms of technology transfer, economic cooperation, scientific collaboration through the accords.

It will open the window to cooperate and collaborate between SPARRSO and NASA, and will enhance the current capacity of SPARRSO to accelerate the space mission.

By this collaboration with NASA and other space agencies it will allow Bangladesh to gain access to cutting-edge space technology, satellite systems, and scientific research.

This could also help to enhance Bangladesh's own satellite Program and future space initiatives.

Bangladesh can accelerate the development of its space research institutions, such as SPARRSO.

It could get technical assistance to develop its own Earth observation and climate monitoring satellites, which are crucial for managing disasters like- floods and cyclones.

Bangladeshi universities and scientists would get opportunities to collaborate with top global institutions on space research and innovation.

Students could benefit from NASA training programs, scholarships, and exchange programs.

Artemis Accords serve as a blueprint for the future of space exploration, aiming to create a peaceful, cooperative, and legally sound foundation for human presence beyond Earth.

Signing of this Accord will benefit the nation and national space programme.