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The United States and Saudi Arabia are committed to cooperating on civilian space research and exploration to strengthen joint efforts between the allies, NASA and the State Department said in statements on Tuesday.
two countries Sign framework agreement The two sides cooperate in aviation, education, earth science and other fields.
The agreement also noted the importance of the Artemis Accords signed by the United States in 2020 and Saudi Arabia in 2022.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson signed the agreement on behalf of the United States, while Saudi Arabian Space Agency CEO Mohammed bin Saud Al Tamimi signed on behalf of the Kingdom.
“Building on my visit to Saudi Arabia earlier this year, I look forward to strengthening our collaboration in future exploration,” said Nielsen. “We live in a golden age of exploration – an era rooted in partnership. This new agreement outlines how we will work together to explore and benefit humanity.”
Nelson visited Saudi Arabia in May, where he met with officials from the Saudi Arabian government and the Saudi Arabian Space Council to discuss civil space cooperation as part of the U.S.-Saudi Arabia partnership, NASA said.
The Saudi Arabian government established the Saudi Space Council in 2018 to develop Saudi Arabia’s capabilities in the space sector and increase private sector participation.
The council describes itself as “actively committed to the development and expansion of the space sector” as part of the kingdom’s broader Vision 2030, which aims to modernize the kingdom’s economy and diversify its revenue sources away from oil .
