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UAE Signs Nasa’s International Space Treaty for Responsible Exploration of the Moon

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The UAE Space Agency (UAESA) has signed Nasa’s Artemis Accords at the ongoing 71st International Astronautical Congress (IAC). The Artemis Accords is an international treaty by US space agency Nasa, which sets standards and outlines the principles of the Moon’s responsible exploration.

Through the Artemis program, Nasa aims to set up a human base on the Moon as well as a lunar-orbiting space station through which astronauts can be sent to Mars. This falls in line with the UAE’s long-term plans of peaceful space exploration which so far includes the successful launches of the country’s first astronaut and the Hope Probe.

The signing of the deal took place at a virtual event attended by HE Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Technology and Chair of the UAE Space Agency, along with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and the heads of the space agencies of Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan.

On this partnership, HE Sarah Al Amiri said: “We welcome this initiative NASA has taken to strengthen the broad principles of peaceful human exploration and co-existence in space. As a peaceful space fairing nation, the UAE is pleased to become a signatory of the Artemis Accords, and our endorsement of this agreement is in keeping with our principle of the peaceful use and exploration of outer space to enhance development and sustainability goals here on Earth. It highlights the UAEs efforts to collaborate with the global community to establish new and improved principles and frameworks that strengthen international laws for space exploration, as we firmly believe that the advancement and diversification of the space sector require the concerted efforts of all global players.”

She added, “The UAE has always been a proponent of international collaboration, and we have benefited from many partnerships as we have evolved our own space program. We also make effective contributions to international efforts, to push the boundaries in our shared human knowledge and understanding of our universe. We are one human race and we are in this together.”

“Artemis will be the broadest and most diverse international human space exploration program in history, and the Artemis Accords are the vehicle that will establish this singular global coalition,” said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. “With today’s signing, we are uniting with our partners to explore the Moon and are establishing vital principles that will create a safe, peaceful, and prosperous future in space for all of humanity to enjoy.”

Read Next: What Does UAE’s Space Mission Mean for the Arab World?

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