The Republic of Djibouti has taken a significant step in its space cooperation efforts by becoming the 72nd country and the eighth African nation to sign the Artemis Accords. The signing ceremony took place on September 14 at NASA's headquarters in Washington, with Djibouti's Ambassador Mohamed-Siad Doualé and US officials, including NASA's Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Frank Garcia, in attendance.
The Artemis Accords are an international framework aimed at promoting peaceful, transparent, and coordinated space exploration. The accords establish principles for cooperation among participating countries, including data sharing, mutual assistance, and the preservation of historic sites on the Moon and in space. Djibouti's accession to the accords is expected to enhance its growing space capabilities and provide new opportunities for scientific and technological cooperation.
Djibouti has been developing its space program since 2020, with the launch of its first satellites, Djibouti 1A and 1B, in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The satellites were launched on Falcon 9 rockets from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The country's space program is managed by the Centre d'études et de recherche de Djibouti, which reports to the Ministry of Higher Education and Research.
The Artemis Accords were established in 2020 by NASA and the US Department of State, with several partner countries, in response to renewed international interest in lunar exploration and, in the long term, Mars exploration. The accords aim to promote cooperation based on common principles for future space activities. Djibouti's participation is expected to strengthen its partnership with the US and other signatory countries.
Ambassador Mohamed-Siad Doualé said that Djibouti's signature on the Artemis Accords will deepen its partnership with the US and enhance its ties with other participating countries. The country's involvement in the accords is expected to create new opportunities for its students, researchers, and engineers, as well as entrepreneurs interested in developing applications related to space data and technologies.
Djibouti's space program is expected to benefit from its participation in the Artemis Accords, with potential collaborations in areas such as scientific research, satellite applications, education, and technical training. The country's accession to the accords is seen as a significant step in its development as a player in the global space community.
With its signature on the Artemis Accords, Djibouti joins a growing group of countries committed to peaceful and cooperative space exploration. The country's space program is poised to expand its capabilities and contribute to international efforts in space exploration, with a focus on research, innovation, and cooperation.
Key points
- Djibouti becomes 72nd country to sign Artemis Accords
- Accords promote peaceful, transparent, and coordinated space exploration
- Djibouti's space program to benefit from enhanced cooperation and opportunities
