Greece has officially joined NASA's Artemis Accords, becoming the 35th country to align with the United States' framework for guiding principles in space exploration.
The signing of the Artemis Accords took place on February 9 at the US State Department during the US-Greece Strategic Dialogue meeting. Greece's foreign minister, Giorgos Gerapetritis, represented the country and signed the agreement.
During the signing ceremony, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson commended Greece's decision to join the Artemis Accords, emphasizing the longstanding partnership between the US and Greece and expressing enthusiasm for expanding collaboration in space exploration.
TOPSHOT - The 'Supermoon' rises above the statue of the ancient Greek god Poseidon in Ancient Corinth on November 14, 2016. Skygazers headed to high-rise buildings, ancient forts and beaches on November 14 to witness the closest "supermoon" to Earth in almost seven decades, hoping for dramatic photos and spectacular surf.
Greece Joins the Artemis Accords
The event, held in Washington, also saw the participation of NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Dr. Ioannis Daglis, President of the Hellenic Space Center.
The Artemis Accords, created in 2020 with the US and seven other original signatories, outline a practical framework of principles to govern cooperation in space exploration among nations. Since its inception, signatory countries have engaged in discussions to effectively refine and implement these principles.
The accords reinforce essential obligations outlined in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty while enhancing commitments to agreements such as the Registration Convention and the Rescue and Return Agreement.
Additionally, they promote best practices endorsed by NASA and its partners, including the transparent release of scientific data. Greece's decision to join the Artemis Accords aligns with its vision of contributing to humanity's collective efforts in space exploration.
Gerapetritis emphasized the significance of collaboration and cooperation among nations as humanity ventures into space.
"As humanity embarks on a great adventure, returning to the Moon and preparing for traveling beyond the Moon, the Artemis Accords serve as a beacon of collaboration and cooperation among nations, paving the way for a sustainable and peaceful exploration of space," Gerapetritis said in a statement.
"Congratulations to Greece on becoming the 35th country to join the Artemis Accords family," said Nelson. "The U.S. and Greece are long-time partners and friends, and we are excited to expand this partnership in the cosmos. Together, we are shaping the future of cooperation in space for the Artemis Generation," he added.
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All About the Artemis
The Artemis mission aims to achieve significant milestones in space exploration, including landing the first woman, first person of color, and the first international partner astronaut on the Moon.
With ambitious goals to make new scientific discoveries and expand exploration of the lunar surface, international partnerships are vital to the success of the Artemis mission.
Through the Artemis Accords, countries commit to advancing safe, peaceful, and prosperous activities in space, paving the way for a sustainable presence on the Moon and preparing for future missions to Mars.
Transparency and responsible behavior are central tenets of the accords, ensuring that all activities conducted in space are for peaceful purposes and align with international norms and standards.
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