Pleased with our growing ties on Earth & in space: Nasa

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) on Saturday welcomed India as the 27th signatory of the Artemis Accords about which PM Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden announced during their joint press conference.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, in a release issued on Saturday, said, “On behalf of Nasa, on behalf of President Biden and Vice-President Harris, we are very pleased to grow our partnership with India here on Earth and in space." During a ceremony held in Washington on June 21, India signed the Artemis Accords in presence of the Nasa administrator and India's ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

Thanking the Indian leadership for signing the accords, the Nasa chief said, “As we venture farther out into the cosmos than ever before, how we go is as important as what we do when we reach our destinations. We want to go in a peaceful way. We want to go in a transparent way. And we want to support each other in times of trouble. We are very grateful for India's leadership in signing the Artemis Accords and look forward to all that we will accomplish together.” NASA also noted, “The Artemis Accords establish a practical set of principles to guide space exploration cooperation among nations, including those participating in Nasa's Artemis program.”

Thanking Modi at the luncheon during her speech for the signing the accords, US Vice-President Kamala Harris said, “When you and I first met at the White House, I asked you to join the Artemis Accords, a commitment to safe and transparent use of space, and today I am happy to report that you have joined the Artemis Accords.” She further said, “And there is a point of personal privilege. As chair of the National Space Council, I thank you for your leadership in space and for our joint work on our earth-science satellite which will help us address the climate crisis."

Taranjit Singh Sandhu said that India is taking a landmark step by becoming a part of the Artemis Accords.

“We reiterate India's commitment to space exploration underpinned by new levels of cooperation and progress. India is a responsible space power and places the highest importance on the peaceful and sustainable use of outer space. We are confident that the Artemis Accords will advance a rule-based approach to outer space. It also underlines our collective belief that exploration is not just the pursuit of knowledge – of knowing the unknown – but is a catalyst in advancing the betterment of humanity. In that sense, signing of these Accords highlights the evolution of a partnership into one for global good.”

Nasa, in coordination with the US Department of State, established the Artemis Accords in 2020 together with seven other founding member nations. The Artemis Accords reinforce and implement key obligations in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. They also reinforce the commitment by the US 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.