NASA announced Friday that Senegal has become the 56th nation to sign the Artemis Accords, which concern the peaceful exploration of outer space.
The signing of the Artemis Accords is meant to conduct exploration in a peaceful and open manner, provide support to those in need, ensure access to scientific data that benefits all humanity while ensuring that one activity does not interfere with another, preserve significant historical sites and artifacts, and develop progressive methods of space exploration for the benefit of all, according to a NASA press release.
“Today, NASA strengthened the strong ties between our two nations by signing the Artemis Agreement with the Senegalese Space Agency,” said Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy.
The agreements were signed on behalf of Senegal by Maram Kayre, Director General of the Senegalese Space Agency. Jonathan Pratt, Senior Official in the Bureau of African Affairs at the US State Department, and Abdoul Wahab Haidara, Ambassador of Senegal to the United States, also attended the event.
“Senegal’s accession to the Artemis Accords demonstrates our commitment to a multilateral, responsible and transparent approach to space exploration,” said Caire. “This signing is a significant step in our space diplomacy and our desire to contribute to the peaceful exploration of space.”
Astronomers from Senegal have supported NASA missions by participating in a number of observations of asteroids or planets passing in front of stars, casting shadows on Earth.
In 2021, NASA also collaborated with Cairet and a team of astronomers on a ground-based observation campaign in Senegal. As the asteroid Orus passed in front of the star, they set up telescopes along the path of the asteroid’s shadow to estimate its shape and size. NASA’s Lucy spacecraft is scheduled to approach Orus in 2028 as part of its mission to study Jupiter’s Trojan asteroids.
More countries are expected to sign the Artemis Accords in the coming months and years as NASA continues its efforts to create a safe, peaceful, and successful future in space, according to a press release.
Sourse: www.upi.com
