Latest news with #ArtemisAccords
Indian Express
10-06-2025
- Science
- Indian Express
Explained: ‘Realising the return'— how an Indian became part of Axiom-4
In June 2023, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Washington, India and the US announced a decision to finalise a strategic framework for human spaceflight cooperation. It was also revealed that Indian and American space agencies, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), would mount a joint effort to enable an Indian astronaut to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) by 2024. The announcement came as a surprise. Till then, it was understood that the first Indians to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma's historic flight in 1984 would ride the Gaganyaan mission which ISRO had been preparing for since 2018, when Modi unveiled India's ambition to send humans into space by 2022. The 2022 timeline could not be adhered to. But astronauts had been selected and trained, and systems were under development and being tested. The 2023 announcement offered India an opportunity to get real-life experience for one of its astronauts ahead of the Gaganyaan mission. Only three nations — the US, Russia and China — have a human spaceflight programme of their own. Shubhanshu Shukla's flight, which came about on the back of the 2023 announcement, is thus being seen as another preparatory step ahead of the Gaganyaan mission. A growing partnership It has since emerged that the 2023 announcement was the result of at least a few years of discussions between India and the US. Their space agencies have been working on a joint NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) mission for over a decade now, enabling a closer-than-ever partnership. That mission is finally ready now, and likely to be launched in the next few weeks from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The need to further strengthen their partnership, possibly through a joint human spaceflight programme, had been broached several times during these interactions. This took place particularly after ISRO demonstrated its advanced capabilities with missions, such as Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan, and the development of sophisticated space systems. This closer collaboration was formalised a couple of months after Modi's Washington visit in June 2023, when India signed the Artemis Accords, a US-devised set of principles for responsible behaviour and cooperation in space exploration, particularly in lunar and deep planetary missions. It paved the way for unprecedented collaboration between the two countries in space-related matters, the first benefits of which have begun to unfold with the Axiom-4 mission. Axiom Space's invitation Shortly after the Artemis Accords were signed, Axiom Space, a private US-based space company, invited India to participate in its mission to the ISS. Axiom Space has been the first and till now the only beneficiary of a NASA programme to enable private US industry to send commercial crewed missions to low-earth orbits and the ISS. This is part of NASA's endeavour to build capabilities in the private sector while it focuses on science and planetary exploration. Axiom Space has sent three multinational missions to the ISS so far, each carrying four astronauts. The inaugural mission, in 2022, marked the first instance of an all-private crew making its way to the ISS. None of the astronauts were affiliated to, or selected by, any national space agency, though one of them had been a former NASA astronaut. The other three were businessmen. The second mission in 2023 also had three private individuals, and was commanded by Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut and the world record holder for having spent the maximum number of days in space. The third mission last year had an all-European crew, with the first Turkish national to ever go into space. For its fourth mission on Wednesday, on which Shukla will travel to the ISS, Axiom Space invited three countries who had last been to space more than 40 years ago — India (1984), Hungary (1978) and Poland (1980) — with Whitson named commander once again. Aptly, the mission has been themed 'Realize the Return'. Anonna Dutt is a Principal Correspondent who writes primarily on health at the Indian Express. She reports on myriad topics ranging from the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension to the problems with pervasive infectious conditions. She reported on the government's management of the Covid-19 pandemic and closely followed the vaccination programme. Her stories have resulted in the city government investing in high-end tests for the poor and acknowledging errors in their official reports. Dutt also takes a keen interest in the country's space programme and has written on key missions like Chandrayaan 2 and 3, Aditya L1, and Gaganyaan. She was among the first batch of eleven media fellows with RBM Partnership to End Malaria. She was also selected to participate in the short-term programme on early childhood reporting at Columbia University's Dart Centre. Dutt has a Bachelor's Degree from the Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune and a PG Diploma from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. She started her reporting career with the Hindustan Times. When not at work, she tries to appease the Duolingo owl with her French skills and sometimes takes to the dance floor. ... Read More
Al Bawaba
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
UAE Hosts Artemis Accords Workshop to Advance Sustainable Space Cooperation
The UAE, represented by the UAE Space Agency, hosted a workshop on the Artemis Accords at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) on 21 and 22 May, 2025. This gathering brought together delegates from over 30 of the 55 signatory nations, reaffirming their commitment in promoting peaceful, transparent, and sustainable space workshop aims to reinforce the principles of peaceful and responsible space exploration and discuss future approaches to foster a shared commitment to transparency, information exchange, space heritage protection, and ensuring sustainability in outer space workshop focused on advancing the implementation of the Artemis Accords' principles, including non-interference, interoperability, orbital debris mitigation, scientific data sharing, registration of space objects, and outreach efforts. Participants engaged in a tabletop exercise designed to simulate potential scenarios, fostering collaborative approaches to responsible space Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports and Chairman of UAE Space Agency, said: 'The UAE's commitment to strengthening international cooperation and fostering responsible space exploration reflects values that lie at the heart of the Artemis Accords. Through this workshop, we aim to promote a peaceful, transparent, and sustainable space for future generations.'Al Falasi added: 'As we witness the evolution of space activities, international collaboration frameworks are becoming highly essential. The Artemis Accords stand as a beacon to ensure that as humanity reaches further into space, we do so while maintaining openness, safety, and mutual respect, so space remains a domain of peace and opportunity for all.'The Abu Dhabi workshop builds upon previous meetings held in Poland (2023) and Canada (2024), underscoring the growing momentum behind the Artemis Accords. These workshops serve as vital platforms for signatories to share best practices, address emerging challenges, and strengthen the collective commitment to sustainable space exploration. Launched in 2020 by the USA with the participation of seven countries - including the UAE - the Artemis Accords are a non-binding set of principles designed to guide civil space exploration towards more sustainable and safe operations. The Artemis Accords are consistent with relevant international treaties, including the Outer Space Treaty, the Registration Convention, and the Agreement on the Rescue and Return of Astronauts.
Al Etihad
26-05-2025
- Science
- Al Etihad
UAE hosts Artemis Accords workshop with representatives from 30 countries
26 May 2025 14:49 ABU DHABI (WAM)The UAE, represented by the UAE Space Agency, recently hosted a workshop on the Artemis Accords at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). This gathering brought together delegates from over 30 of the 55 signatory nations, reaffirming their commitment to promoting peaceful, transparent, and sustainable space workshop aims to reinforce the principles of peaceful and responsible space exploration and discuss future approaches to foster a shared commitment to transparency, information exchange, space heritage protection, and ensuring sustainability in outer space workshop focused on advancing the implementation of the Artemis Accords' principles, including non-interference, interoperability, orbital debris mitigation, scientific data sharing, registration of space objects, and outreach engaged in a tabletop exercise designed to simulate potential scenarios, fostering collaborative approaches to responsible space of Sports and Chairman of UAE Space Agency, Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, said, 'The UAE's commitment to strengthening international cooperation and fostering responsible space exploration reflects values that lie at the heart of the Artemis Accords. Through this workshop, we aim to promote a peaceful, transparent, and sustainable space for future generations.'Al Falasi added, 'As we witness the evolution of space activities, international collaboration frameworks are becoming highly essential. The Artemis Accords stand as a beacon to ensure that as humanity reaches further into space, we do so while maintaining openness, safety, and mutual respect, so space remains a domain of peace and opportunity for all.'The Abu Dhabi workshop builds upon previous meetings held in Poland (2023) and Canada (2024) to share best practices, address emerging challenges, and strengthen the collective commitment to sustainable space in 2020 by the USA with the participation of seven countries - including the UAE - the Artemis Accords are a non-binding set of principles designed to guide civil space exploration towards more sustainable and safe operations. The Artemis Accords are consistent with relevant international treaties, including the Outer Space Treaty, the Registration Convention, and the Agreement on the Rescue and Return of Astronauts.
Daily Tribune
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain participates in Middle East space law launch
The Bahrain Space Agency (BSA) participated as a keynote speaker at the launch of the Middle East Space Law and Legislation Committee, under the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences (AUASS), held under the patronage of Professor Hamid Majul Al Nuaimi, President of the Union. The event discussed the Middle East's role in global space governance, the potential of legal frameworks to support strategic opportunities, and the importance of space law in fostering international cooperation. Representing the agency, Rasha Al Emad, Head of Strategic Planning, delivered a presentation outlining the Kingdom of Bahrain's efforts in developing a national regulatory framework for space. She highlighted the importance of such frameworks in shaping Arab space governance and concluded with insights to support Arab countries in drafting their own national legislation. Awareness Mohamed Ibrahim Al Aseeri, CEO of the BSA, noted the agency's ongoing efforts to raise awareness on space law in the Arab world and to foster knowledge exchange in line with its strategic objectives. Al Emad added that the evolving global space sector now includes a wider range of actors beyond major powers, stressing that legal framework are central to innovation, investment, safety, and international cooperation. She highlighted Bahrain's progress, from the royal decree establishing the agency, to ratifying UN treaties, joining international agreements such as the Artemis Accords, and drafting national legislation.
Biz Bahrain
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Biz Bahrain
Bahrain Space Agency participates in Middle East space law launch event
The Bahrain Space Agency participated as a keynote speaker at the launch of the Middle East Space Law and Legislation Committee, under the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences (AUASS), held under the patronage of Professor Hamid Majul Al Nuaimi, President of the Union. The event discussed the Middle East's role in global space governance, the potential of legal frameworks to support strategic opportunities, and the importance of space law in fostering international cooperation. Representing the agency, Rasha Al Emad, Head of Strategic Planning, delivered a presentation outlining the Kingdom of Bahrain's efforts in developing a national regulatory framework for space. She highlighted the importance of such frameworks in shaping Arab space governance and concluded with insights to support Arab countries in drafting their own national legislation. Mohamed Ibrahim Al Aseeri, CEO of the Bahrain Space Agency, noted the agency's ongoing efforts to raise awareness on space law in the Arab world and to foster knowledge exchange in line with its strategic objectives. Al Emad added that the evolving global space sector now includes a wider range of actors beyond major powers, stressing that legal framework are central to innovation, investment, safety, and international cooperation. She highlighted Bahrain's progress, from the royal decree establishing the agency, to ratifying UN treaties, joining international agreements such as the Artemis Accords, and drafting national legislation covering licensing, liability, insurance, spectrum use, and orbital debris. The Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences (AUASS), founded in 1998 in Amman, Jordan, works to advance space and astronomy sciences in the Arab world by organising workshops and seminars, and strengthening collaboration with academic and research institutions. BNA(R)
