Senegal Joins Artemis Accords: Enhancing Space Exploration Cooperation
Senegal has officially become the 56th country to sign the Artemis Accords, a crucial step towards fostering peaceful and transparent space exploration initiatives among nations participating in NASA’s Artemis program. The signing ceremony, held at NASA’s headquarters in Washington, marks a significant milestone in Senegal’s commitment to space diplomacy.
Maram Kairé, the Director General of the Senegalese Agency for Space Studies (ASES), signed the accords on behalf of Senegal during the ceremony. Key figures including Jonathan Pratt from the US Department of State and Abdoul Wahab Haidara, Senegal’s ambassador to the United States, were present to witness this historic event. This follows a recent meeting in Washington between Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and former US President Donald Trump, highlighting the growing collaboration between the two nations.
Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy expressed his enthusiasm, citing the strengthening of relations between the US and Senegal through the signing of the Artemis Accords. Senegal’s commitment to these accords underscores its dedication to a multilateral, responsible, and transparent approach to space exploration.
Senegal’s astronomers have a history of collaboration with NASA, with recent joint efforts including a 2021 campaign to observe asteroid Orus. The data gathered during this campaign will play a vital role in supporting NASA’s Lucy mission, scheduled to explore Jupiter’s Trojan asteroids in 2028.
The Artemis Accords, established in 2020, outline fundamental principles for civil space exploration, emphasizing peaceful use, transparency, international cooperation, scientific data sharing, and sustainable practices. These accords pave the way for a secure and beneficial space environment as global interest in lunar and deep space missions continues to grow.
