Dhaka – On a warm April morning in Dhaka, history quietly shifted. In a room filled with diplomats, scientists, and dreamers, Bangladesh signed the Artemis Accords, stepping onto a global stage of space exploration with humility—and ambition.
To many, it was a diplomatic formality. But to the next generation of Bangladeshi innovators, it was a signal from the stars that their dreams are not only valid—they are now part of a shared human mission.
The Artemis Accords, a visionary initiative by NASA, are more than guidelines for space conduct. They represent a covenant of trust among nations that seek to explore the Moon, Mars, and beyond—together, transparently, and peacefully. And now, Bangladesh, with its heart full of promise, is a signatory.
In a moving virtual message, Janet Petro, Acting Administrator of NASA, traced this journey back to the nation’s remarkable youth. “The young minds of Bangladesh have shown the world their passion for space. I have no doubt we will continue to see extraordinary scientists, engineers, and future astronauts emerge from Bangladesh,” she said.
These are not empty words. In recent years, Bangladeshi youth have won global titles in NASA’s prestigious Space Apps Challenge—four times in the last six years. These innovators, often working from small labs and big imaginations, have stood shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best.
Their journey was honored not only with a signature but also with a symbol—a space patch worn by NASA astronaut Joseph Acaba, handed over by U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Tracey Ann Jacobson. A token of solidarity. A promise of what’s possible.
“This is step one of possibly one thousand,” said Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman at BIDA and BEZA. His words remind us: transformation doesn’t come overnight. But it begins with belief—and bold decisions.
Bangladesh’s space agency, SPARRSO, established back in 1980, has long kept the fire of celestial curiosity alive. Today, that ember has caught a new wind. A multilateral one. A global one. And it is burning with renewed intensity.
Now, the youth of Bangladesh can dream of more than satellites—they can dream of landers, rovers, and astronauts. And they do so not in isolation, but as part of a global fellowship, dedicated to shared exploration, shared knowledge, and shared humanity.
The sky was never the limit—it was only the beginning.
