JSRI - Jordan Space Research Initiative

Jordan has officially joined the Artemis Accords. 🇯🇴

This is a historic step in our country’s growing engagement with the global space sector, and a reflection of how seriously space is now being taken as part of Jordan’s future.

It was especially meaningful to see JSRI - Jordan Space Research Initiative and our pioneering analog missions in Wadi Rum highlighted by NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration in their coverage: https://www.nasa.gov/organizations/oiir/nasa-welcomes-jordan-as-63rd-artemis-accords-signatory/

Since 2020, JSRI has been working toward building a space ecosystem in Jordan through research, collaboration, and education. We approach this moment not as passive participants, but as active contributors shaping the global space sector through values rooted in sustainability, community, and local empowerment.

We also want to recognize and congratulate all actors involved, particularly our partners at the United Nations-affiliated Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education for Western Asia.

We look forward to continuing to build Jordan’s future in space together. 🚀

[الترجمة العربية في التعليقات]

JSRI is proud to share that Merna Zrekat, our Director of Communications & Outreach, represented JSRI and Jordanian youth at the D-8 Youth Dialogue 2025 last week in Baku, Azerbaijan, stepping in for our Founder, Sahba El-Shawa, a UN SDG Young Leader.

The Dialogue, hosted by the Ministry of Youth and Sport of Azerbaijan Republic (Azərbaycan Respublikasının Gənclər və İdman Nazirliyi), gathered youth delegates, experts, and government officials from all Member States of the D-8 Organization For Economic Cooperation under the theme “Youth Shaping the Future of the Global Urban Agenda.”

Merna spoke at the High-Level Opening Panel alongside ministers, D-8 Secretary General, and COP negotiators. She underscored JSRI’s core message that space is a driver of innovation for climate resilience, supports cities, and advances the SDGs. She highlighted that, for JSRI, sustainability is not only technological; it is cultural, ethical, and human. She reminded the audience that “young people are not standing on the sidelines of change. We are living through it every day.”

During the panel discussion "Transformation for Smart and Inclusive Cities", Merna emphasized that space technologies already shape daily life and that inclusive smart cities require equal access to digital tools and skills, as digital exclusion often reinforces social exclusion.

The Dialogue concluded with the adoption of the D-8 Baku Youth Declaration 2025, reinforcing commitments to , sustainable urban development, green skills, and regional cooperation ahead of 2026 and .

JSRI remains committed to advancing space-for-Earth innovation and ensuring youth voices shape the future of sustainable and climate-resilient cities.

[Arabic in comments - النسخة العربية متوفرة في التعليقات]

🌍 PETRA-2 is back on Earth!

After seven days of isolation, our crew stepped out of the habitat this morning to a warm welcome from our hosts in Wadi Rum and their children. Their excitement and curiosity were a beautiful reminder of why we do this work.

As part of the World’s Biggest Analog, PETRA-2 was the second Jordanian space analog mission and a historic mission in many ways, bringing together an all-Arab female crew representing Jordan and Palestine. 👩🏼‍🚀

At JSRI, our analog missions are not only about research but about inspiring the next generation and building meaningful connections with the traditional owners of this land who make this work possible.