Daijiworld Media Network - Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, Oct 14: Joining seven other signatory countries, the UAE Space Agency (UAESA) has signed Nasa's Artemis Accords to promote safe and responsible international space cooperation. It was held at the 71st International Astronautical Congress (IAC), running between October 12 and 14.

The programme includes sending first woman and the next man to moon in 2024. The virtual event hosted by Nasa was attended by Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Technology and Chair of the UAE Space Agency, and Jim Bridenstine, Nasa Administrator, along with the heads of the space agencies of Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom.

Speaking on this partnership, Al Amiri said: "We welcome this initiative Nasa has taken to strengthen the broad principles of peaceful human exploration and co-existence in space. As a peaceful space fairing nation, the UAE is pleased to become a signatory of the Artemis Accords, and our endorsement of this agreement is in keeping with our principle of the peaceful use and exploration of outer space to enhance development and sustainability goals here on Earth."

"With today's signing, we are uniting with our partners to explore the Moon and are establishing vital principles that will create a safe, peaceful, and prosperous future in space for all of humanity to enjoy," Al Amiri addded.

The UAE has made significant strides in space science and exploration having launched several satellites though relatively a young nation in space programme.