Filenews 27 October 2024
Cyprus is now included in the group of countries that will cooperate with NASA for the return of humanity to the moon, and then for the huge leap to the planet Mars.
The country signed this week the framework of Artemis Agreements established by NASA for the peaceful exploration and exploitation of space, as the 46th state to join this group. For this bold new beginning, NASA is also collaborating with many research centers, especially private companies.
"We welcome Cyprus' commitment to the Artemis Accords, which will strengthen the country's engagement with NASA and the international community," said NASA Deputy Administrator Jim Fry. "Cyprus will contribute to the implementation of the Agreements and exploration in a responsible, transparent and peaceful manner for the benefit of all," the NASA official added.
The signing took place on Wednesday, at the Presidential Palace, by the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Dr. Nikodemos Damianou, with a parallel live connection with NASA in the United States, and in the presence of the Assistant Secretary of State for European and Euro-Asian Affairs of the US, James O'Brien.
The Deputy Minister said that the signing marks an important milestone for Cyprus as we join the Artemis Accords, a global and diverse coalition of nations aiming at a new era of space exploration based on the principles of security, peace and sustainability.
Moreover, he noted that Cyprus has already taken steps focusing heavily on the areas of communication, satellites and Earth observation.
As we move deeper into the space age, it is imperative to cultivate knowledge, share cooperation across disciplines and borders, he said, noting that space should be at the core of our efforts to diversify our economies and create value for future generations.
The President of the Cyprus Space Exploration Organization George Danos spoke to CNA about the importance of this signing.
"Cyprus becomes part of the space elites, 46 countries that cooperate with NASA for the return to the moon and then for the big step, for the planet Mars," Danos said and congratulated the Deputy Minister of Innovation, the Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation and Technology of the Republic of Cyprus, Dimitris Skourides and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus.
He said that developments are currently underway regarding humanity's return to the moon, and said that space technologies bring solutions to the myriad problems facing the world and the planet.
He also noted that the space sector is running fast. Its revenues in 2023 were $ 570 billion worldwide, while it is estimated that by 2030 they will reach one trillion dollars with all that this entails for Cyprus, technologically and financially.
What are the Artemis Symphonies?
The Artemis Accords are based on the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, outlining the vision and principles for a safe, transparent environment that facilitates exploration, science, and commercial activities for all humanity.
To date, 46 countries have joined the agreements and are committed to creating a peaceful, prosperous future in space. More countries will sign the Artemis Accords in the coming months and years to ensure that the whole world can benefit from the exploration journey.
NASA, in coordination with the U.S. Department of State and seven other original signatory nations, established the Artemis Accords in 2020. With many countries and private companies carrying out missions and operations around the Moon, the Artemis Accords provide a common set of principles to enhance the governance of space exploration and use.
At the heart of the Artemis Accords is the affirmation that cooperative activities must be exclusively for peaceful purposes, in accordance with the Outer Space Treaty.
"We return to the Moon for scientific discoveries, economic benefits and inspiration for a new generation of explorers: the Artemis Generation. While maintaining U.S. leadership in exploration, we will build a global alliance and explore deep space for the benefit of all," NASA said.
He adds that "we are exploring the Moon for scientific discovery, technological advancement, and to learn how to live and work in another world as we prepare for human missions to Mars. We will work with trade and international partners and establish the first long-term presence on the Moon."
NASA will land "the first woman and first person of colour on the Moon, using innovative technologies to explore the surface of the Moon more than ever before."
Why are Symphonies called Artemis?
Honouring Greek mythology, as it usually does, NASA has chosen to name its new historic mission after the goddess Artemis, as it will return to the moon after half a century and carry the first female astronaut to set foot on the moon.
"Artemis: The twin sister of Apollo and goddess of the Moon. Now, this will be the name of NASA's mission to return to the surface of the moon, including the first woman," NASA said.
Indeed, as the daughter of Zeus and Leto and twin sister of Apollo, Artemis has the most appropriate name for the new mission to the moon, which will include this time the first female astronaut to explore the Moon.
Only 12 people set foot on the moon, all men and Americans. It was the golden age of the Apollo program in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Permanent human base on the moon
NASA's goal is to return to the moon and have a permanent presence of astronauts. Among the many goals set is the robotic exploration of the Moon's poles.
The astronauts on the moon will work and reside for a long time in the permanent base that will be established and with the help of spacecraft and three-dimensional printers.
Of great importance to NASA is the exploitation of the natural wealth of the Moon, preparing the ground for humanity's huge step, which is the mission of the first humans to Mars.
By exploiting the moon's natural resources and developing new technologies, the foundations will be laid to send the first astronauts to Mars and establish a human colony there.
It is noted that the trip to the moon takes three days, while for Mars it takes at least six months.
The ultimate goal is the human colony on Mars
In an interview with CNA, former NASA Scientific Director Dr. Dr. James Green has said that in the 2020s humans will return to the Moon, while in the late 2030s we will send the first humans to the red planet.
"I expect that we will see humans on the surface of the Moon in the 2020s," he said, adding that as we develop techniques and capabilities as well as the necessary knowledge to allow us to live and work on the surface of a celestial body, then "we will use that knowledge and go to Mars in the late 2030s and 2040s."
He said there are already spacecraft on Mars preparing the ground for the first humans to go there.
As many scientists have said, another reason for space exploration is to become a multi-planetary species, as one should not underestimate the dangers of the universe, nor the self-destructive dangers of the human species.
CNA
