NASA Welcomes Bangladesh as 54th Signatory to Artemis Accords

Bangladesh has officially become the 54th country to sign the Artemis Accords, joining a growing international coalition committed to responsible and peaceful space exploration. The signing ceremony took place during the 2025 Investor Summit in Dhaka, where NASA formally welcomed Bangladesh into global partnership.

Key Highlights

New Signatory Status:

• Bangladesh is the 54th nation to join the Artemis Accords.
• The accords represent a set of non-binding agreements established to guide civil space exploration.

Enhanced International Engagement:

• Signing the accords strengthens Bangladesh’s collaboration with NASA and the broader international community.
• It lays the foundation for open, responsible, and peaceful exploration of outer space.

Boost for National Space Program:

• The agreement will foster cooperation between Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organisation (SPARRSO) and NASA.
• This collaboration is expected to enhance SPARRSO’s capacity, aiding Bangladesh in accelerating its space missions.

About Artemis Accords

Established:

• In 2020 by the United States, led by NASA and the U.S. Department of State, together with seven initial signatory nations.

Purpose:

• To create practical guidelines for nations engaging in civil space exploration.
• Aims to increase safety of space operations and reduce risks and uncertainty in missions.

Core Principles:

Grounded in International Treaties:

• Outer Space Treaty
• Registration Convention
• Rescue and Return Agreement

Best Practices:

• Promote responsible behavior and transparency, including the public release of scientific data.

Global Impact:

• Initially signed by 8 nations, the group has grown to include more than 50 countries, fostering a common set of principles for safe and sustainable space exploration.

Relevance in a Changing Landscape:

• With a surge of interest from various countries and private companies conducting lunar and deep space missions, the Artemis Accords provide a framework to streamline governance and cooperation across international space endeavors.