The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan recently signed the Artemis Accords at NASA’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. This makes Jordan the latest nation to join the commitment for responsible space exploration, aimed at benefiting everyone on Earth.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman expressed his excitement, stating that Jordan’s participation brings unique insights and skills to the global exploration effort. “They join at a pivotal moment,” he noted, as humanity prepares to return to the Moon. NASA has plans to establish a Moon Base, and international collaboration is key to this mission.
Ambassador Dina Kawar represented Jordan in the signing. She highlighted the country’s strong engineering talent, stating, “Jordan has more engineers per capita than almost any country in the world.” Under the guidance of Crown Prince Al Hussein, Jordan is positioning itself as a technology hub focused on artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and now space innovation.
Jordan’s journey in space exploration began in 2018 with the launch of the JY1 satellite, developed by university students. This CubeSat sent images and audio from orbit, marking a significant milestone for the country. Additionally, Jordan leads in space research with its analog facility in Wadi Rum, where missions like PETRA1 and PETRA2 are underway to explore planetary science and human spaceflight.
The Artemis Accords were created in 2020, brought together by the U.S. and seven other founding nations, in response to the growing interest in lunar exploration. Their main aim is to ensure that countries work together safely and responsibly as they explore the Moon and beyond. By signing these accords, nations like Jordan agree to collaborate peacefully, share scientific data, and protect historic sites in space.
As interest in space grows, more countries are expected to join the Artemis Accords. Collaboration in space isn’t just about exploration; it’s about building a sustainable future for all of humanity. For more information, visit the Artemis Accords page on NASA’s website: NASA Artemis Accords.
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Artemis, Artemis Accords, Office of International and Interagency Relations (OIIR)
