NASA’s Artemis Accords continue to gain international support as Bangladesh becomes the 54th nation to sign on to the cooperative space exploration initiative. The signing ceremony took place in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, where Defense Secretary Ashraf Uddin joined interim U.S. Ambassador Tracey Jacobson in formalizing the agreement. A prerecorded message from NASA Acting Administrator Janet Petro was shared with those in attendance, marking a significant moment in the country’s expanding space engagement.
In her statement, Petro expressed NASA’s excitement about Bangladesh’s involvement. “We are thrilled by Bangladesh’s signature of the Accords,” Petro said. “This is about ensuring that our journey to the moon — and beyond — is peaceful, sustainable, and transparent. We look forward to working together, to learning from one another, and to seeing how Bangladesh’s incredible talent and vision contribute to humanity’s next great chapter in space.”
Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor, Muhammad Yunus, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the nation’s growing role in space exploration. “Bangladesh’s commitment to the Artemis Accords will enhance the country’s engagement with NASA and the international community,” Yunus said.
The Artemis Accords, established in October 2020, were created to guide countries in the exploration of the Moon and deep space. With principles focusing on transparency, sustainability, and peaceful exploration, the Accords build upon the foundation of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. By signing the Accords, Bangladesh further aligns itself with a global effort to promote cooperative space activities and exploration.
The agreement with Bangladesh follows the signing of Finland as the 53rd country to join the Artemis Accords, making this a milestone in international space collaboration. NASA continues to sign new countries, expanding the framework of the Accords as part of its vision for peaceful and sustainable space exploration.
