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Saudi Arabia Signs Artemis Accords

screen grab showing NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and others who participated in the virtual Artemis Accords signing ceremony for Saudi Arabia
A screen capture from the virtual meeting during which the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia became the 21st nation to sign the Artemis Accords, on July 14, 2022. Clockwise from top left are: U.S. Chargé d’affaires to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Martina Strong; NASA Administrator Bill Nelson; Her Royal Highness Princess Reema, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United States; Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Jennifer R. Littlejohn; Chairman of the Saudi Space Commission Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha, and CEO of the Saudi Space Commission Mohammed bin Saud Al-Tamimi. Credits: NASA

Saudi Arabia is the newest Artemis Accords signatory, affirming its commitment to sustainable space exploration guided by a common set of principles that promote the beneficial use of space for all of humanity. 

Mohammed bin Saud Al-Tamimi, CEO of the Saudi Space Commission, signed the Accords on behalf of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in a ceremony held July 14 in Jeddah. Saudia Arabia is the 21st country to sign the Artemis Accords.

“Today Saudi Arabia adds its voice to a diverse and growing set of nations. Together we can ensure that humanity’s rapid expansion into space, toward the Moon and destinations beyond, will be done peaceably, safely, and in full accordance with international law,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, who participated in the ceremony remotely.

NASA, together with the U.S. Department of State, announced the establishment of the Artemis Accords in 2020. The Artemis Accords are a set of principles to guide the next phase in space exploration, reinforcing and providing for important operational implementation of key obligations in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. The Accords also reinforce the commitment by the United States and signatory nations to the Registration Convention, the Rescue and Return Agreement, as well as best practices and norms of responsible behavior that NASA and its partners have supported, including the public release of scientific data.

Additional countries will sign the Artemis Accords in the months and years ahead, as the United States continues to work with international partners to establish a safe, peaceful, and prosperous future in space. Working with both new and existing partners will add new energy and capabilities to ensure the entire world can benefit from our journey of exploration and discovery.

Learn more about the Artemis Accords at:

https://www.nasa.gov/artemis-accords

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