On October 25, 2024, Cyprus signed the Artemis Accords, becoming the 46th country to join this international initiative led by NASA. The accords aim to promote the peaceful exploration and utilization of outer space, particularly focusing on lunar and Martian missions.
The signing ceremony took place at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, attended by NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James O'Brien. Cyprus' Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Dr. Nikodemos Damianou, represented the country during the event.
According to Free, Cyprus' involvement enhances its collaboration with NASA and the global community in implementing the principles of responsible space exploration. Dr. Damianou emphasized the significance of this milestone, highlighting Cyprus' progress in satellite communications and earth observation.
George Danos, President of the Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation, noted that joining the Artemis Accords positions Cyprus among the elite nations working with NASA for future lunar and Martian explorations. The global space sector is projected to reach $1 trillion by 2030, presenting significant technological and financial opportunities for Cyprus.
Established in 2020, the Artemis Accords provide a framework for international cooperation in space, reinforcing commitments to the Outer Space Treaty and promoting peaceful relations among nations. NASA's Artemis mission aims to return humans to the Moon, including the first woman, and lay the groundwork for future human exploration of Mars.
NASA plans to establish a permanent lunar presence and utilize the Moon's resources to support missions to Mars, which is expected to take at least six months to reach. Former NASA Scientific Director Dr. James Green predicts that human exploration of Mars could begin in the late 2030s, as humanity seeks to become a multi-planetary species.