Current Affairs: Passage of the Day - 11 April 2025 | Current Affairs & General Knowledge - CLAT PDF Download

Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Bangladesh has become the latest signatory of the Artemis Mission, a US-led effort to explode the Moon with plans to build long-term settlements on the lunar surface and push onward to Mars.
Ashraf Uddin, the secretary of defence for Bangladesh, signed the Artemis Accords on behalf of the country in Dhaka.
Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, following the signing, said “Bangladesh’s commitment to the Artemis Accords will enhance the country’s engagement with NASA and the international community. By signing the accords, Bangladesh builds upon an important foundation for the open, responsible and peaceful exploration of space.”
Nasa and the US Department of State, and seven other initial signatory nations established the Artemis Accords in 2020 to peacefully explore the Moon.
The accords are a first-ever set of practical guidelines for nations to increase the safety of operations and reduce risk and uncertainty in their civil exploration activities. So far, over 50 countries have signed the Artemis accords.
India signed the Accords in 2023 to boost the cooperation between the two nations and explore the domain beyond the boundaries of Earth.
The program aims to build a permanent presence in lunar orbit and on the surface, over half a century after the Apollo missions ended. The signing means that the US will share data, technology, and resources, and work together to ensure the safety and sustainability of lunar exploration.
“We are thrilled by Bangladesh’s signature of the Accords. Bangladesh affirms its role in shaping the future of space exploration. This is about ensuring that our journey to the Moon – and beyond – is peaceful, sustainable, and transparent. We look forward to working together, to learning from one another, and to seeing how Bangladesh’s incredible talent and vision contribute to humanity’s next great chapter in space,” Nasa's acting Administrator Janet Petro added.
[Excerpt from India Today "Bangladesh Joins Artemis Accords" Dated 11/04/25]

Q1: What is the main goal of the Artemis Accords?
(a) To build space weapons for defense
(b) To regulate internet use in space
(c) To ensure peaceful and cooperative exploration of outer space
(d) To prevent countries from launching satellites

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Ans: (c)
Sol: The Artemis Accords aim to establish peaceful and cooperative space exploration, following international laws.

Q2: Which major treaty do the Artemis Accords build upon?
(a) Kyoto Protocol
(b) Paris Agreement
(c) Outer Space Treaty of 1967
(d) Moon Agreement of 1979

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Ans: (c)
Sol: The accords are based on the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which is the foundation of modern space law.

Q3: What is one of the key principles outlined in the Artemis Accords?
(a) Exclusive control of space by early signatories
(b) No sharing of scientific data
(c) Preserving heritage sites in space
(d) Limiting access to space for developing countries

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Ans: (c)
Sol: The accords emphasize the importance of preserving historical sites and artifacts in space.

Q4: What does Bangladesh’s signing of the Artemis Accords signify?
(a) Its plan to launch a nuclear missile
(b) Its withdrawal from international space cooperation
(c) Its commitment to responsible and cooperative space exploration
(d) Its refusal to work with NASA

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Ans: (c)
Sol: Bangladesh’s participation shows a desire to contribute responsibly to global space efforts and collaborate internationally.

Q5: Which of the following is a principle included in the Artemis Accords?
(a) Avoiding space-based communication
(b) Extracting resources from celestial bodies
(c) Banning space travel entirely
(d) Ignoring international law

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Ans: (b)
Sol: The accords recognize that space resource extraction is key to sustainable exploration efforts.