NASA Boosts Open Science, Data Sharing with Artemis Accords

oynting crater and Keeler crater are visible side by side in the lower right portion of this image of the Moon’s far side highlands. Poynting, positioned above, is a large impact crater with a well-defined rim and relatively smooth interior, indicative of material that has settled following the initial impact. Just below it, Keeler crater appears slightly smaller, with a sharply outlined rim and a more textured interior shaped by subsequent impacts and ejecta. Both features lie within the densely cratered far side highlands, preserving a record of ancient impacts that have shaped the lunar surface over billions of years.

NASA

The science from every Moon rock sample, lunar dataset, and discovery produced through NASA’s Artemis program will be shared by the agency with the global scientific community. That commitment is upheld by all 71 countries that have signed the Artemis Accords, a set of principles for safe and transparent civil space exploration.

NASA put those principles into practice by hosting 

a two-part virtual workshop series that began July 28 

and concluded Sept. 8, focusing on one key tenet 

of the Artemis Accords: the timely release of scientific data 

to the public and the international scientific community.

“As we return humans to the Moon, our Artemis efforts

 will help us unlock the full potential of scientific discovery 

through transparency, collaboration, and accessibility,” 

said Jacob Bleacher, chief exploration scientist at NASA. 

“We are making data, tools, and results freely available,

 and inviting the Artemis Accords partners to innovate with

 us and share their data as well, accelerating our understanding 

of lunar processes and laying the groundwork for human 

space exploration for the Moon, Mars and beyond.”  

The two recent workshops added to discussions led

 by the ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) in May, 

when signatories first explored ways to advance open

 data practices and created common ground for deeper 

conversations on open data. NASA split its follow‑on discussion 

about data sharing into two virtual sessions, so technical experts 

around the world could take part.

The agency hosted its first session on open science principles 

and implementation practices. It promoted interoperability

 and collaboration among signatories and advanced reproducibility, 

accessibility, and transparency in scientific work, 

including in NASA’s Artemis program.

The second session focused on tools for open science, 

providing Artemis Accords signatories with a working model 

to reference as they build or refine their own data-sharing frameworks.

“NASA is committed to leading by example when it comes to 

open science,” said Andrew Mitchell, deputy chief science data officer 

for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, whose office

 leads the agency’s open science efforts. “These workshops 

gave our Artemis Accords partners practical tools

 and a shared foundation to build on as we move forward together.”  

NASA presented the Planetary Data System, 

one of the agency’s primary archives for planetary science data,

 openly available lunar data, data visualization and analysis tools, 

and the system’s data information model standard,

 offering a real-world example of how NASA structures, 

curates, and shares scientific data with the world.

Across both sessions, NASA shared practices 

developed over years of stewarding scientific data and 

opened the floor to technical experts across the

 Artemis Accords community, reflecting a deliberate 

effort to build alignment at the working level.

“Advances in technology help enable open science,

 but technology alone is insufficient,” said Mitchell. 

“Open science requires a shift to a more transparent and 

collaborative scientific process, which will increase

 the pace and quality of scientific progress. 

Scientific processes and results should be as open and 

repeatable as possible to encourage further study.”

In 2020, NASA and the State Department joined 

with seven other founding nations to establish the 

Artemis Accords in response to the growing interest

 in lunar activities by both governments and private companies. 

They introduced the first set of practical principles aimed at enhancing

 the safety and coordination between like-minded nations 

as they explore the Moon, Mars, and beyond, committing nations to:

• explore peaceably and transparently
• render aid to those in need
• enable access to scientific data
• ensure activities do not interfere with those of others
• preserve historically significant sites and artifacts
•  by developing best practices

By signing the Artemis Accords, nations open the

 door to opportunities for future lunar exploration with NASA, 

advancing humanity’s return to the Moon, and shaping the 

Golden Age of space exploration and innovation.

Learn more about the Artemis Accords at: 

Source:    https://www.nasa.gov/artemis-accords

The Hidden Cost of the "Always-On" Life Part 1

​We wear our exhaustion like a badge of honor. In a culture that glorifies hustle, chronic stress has become our default state. Yet, beneath the veneer of modern productivity, a quieter reality persists: stress is the silent architect behind much of our physical illness and profound unhappiness.

​When the nervous system remains locked in a perpetual "fight or flight" mode, the body pays a heavy toll.

​A Realistic Example:

Consider Maya, a dedicated professional whose life was governed by constant urgency. Her days were a blur of back-to-back meetings and evening emails. At first, the toll was physical—frequent tension headaches, insomnia, and a weakened immune system. Eventually, chronic cortisol elevation triggered digestive issues and joint stiffness. Emotionally, despite her career milestones, joy was replaced by a dull, persistent anxiety.

​Maya’s story is a blueprint of modern burnout. When stress is a lifestyle, the body breaks down, and happiness dissolves into survival.

​Stay tuned for Part 2, where we explore how to reclaim your peace and vitality.

When Journalism Becomes a Weapon

 

We are living in a remarkable digital age in which everyone seems to have become a journalist. With a mobile phone and a social media account, news can travel across the world within seconds, like a spring flowing in many directions.

But what are people drinking from that spring?

Some news is truthful and carefully verified. Other reports are exaggerated, distorted, or entirely false. Yet people eagerly await the next sensational story, particularly when it concerns the private lives of others. Behind every name, photograph, and headline, however, there is a human being—a person with feelings, a family, hopes, fears, and dignity.

A careless piece of writing can therefore become much more than “just news.” It can cause humiliation, anxiety, stress, and profound mental anguish to the person concerned. The individual may be young or old, famous or unknown. Words written in seconds can sometimes leave wounds that last a lifetime.

Recent reports concerning the death of a medical doctor at Badulla Hospital remind us of the seriousness of this issue. Whatever the circumstances, such incidents should prompt everyone who publishes on social media to pause and ask:

Have I checked the facts?

Is this information authentic?

Could my words harm an innocent person?

Am I informing people—or simply seeking attention?

In today’s world, countless news pages and rapidly expanding online channels appear every day, many seeking subscribers, views, and advertising revenue. Often, one source publishes a piece of information, and others copy it, add their own exaggerations, and circulate it across multiple platforms until speculation begins to resemble fact.

Of course, there are also responsible and reputable news organizations that place truth and the public interest above profit. They verify information, respect people’s dignity, and understand the responsibility that comes with having an audience. These are the voices we should value.

The tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales—an extraordinary woman who became a living legend—is an enduring reminder of the immense power and potential danger of the media. Her death remains deeply associated in the public imagination with the relentless pursuit of photographs and news.

We should therefore remember one simple principle:

Before you press “Publish,” think twice.

Think three times.

Check the facts.

Check the source.

And, above all, remember the human being behind the story.

Freedom of journalism is precious. Freedom of expression is precious. However, freedom without responsibility can become cruelty.

Journalism should inform—not destroy.

Social media should connect—not condemn.

And words should never become weapons.

If anyone disagrees with the view that “Journalism can kill,” I welcome your perspective. Let us discuss it respectfully.

Because sometimes, the most powerful story we can publish is the one that prevents another person from suffering. 

Recent global science, technology, and innovation (STI) policies

Recent global science, technology, and innovation (STI) policies focus heavily on managing the rise of artificial intelligence, shifting geopolitical cooperation, and driving green transitions through agile frameworks and open science. Major international bodies like the OECD Science.       Technology  and Innovation Outlook and  UNCTAD  emphasize that modern policy must adapt faster via regulatory sandboxes and inclusive public-private partnerships

Key Global Trends in STI Policy

Artificial Intelligence & Frontier Tech: Integrating AI, quantum computing, and synthetic biology into national R&D priorities while establishing responsible data governance.(1.2)
Mission-Oriented Funding: Moving away from siloed sector grants toward challenge-driven public investments targeting climate change, health security, and sustainable energy
Geopolitical Reshaping: Adapting international scientific cooperation and supply-chain resilience (such as semiconductors) to address shifting global tensions.   (1,2) 
Open Science Frameworks: Expanding public access to publicly funded research data and democratizing knowledge sharing via platforms like the  UNESCO Open Scienc      platform (1 ,2, 3 )
STI Parks & Incubation: Scaling up science, technology, and innovation parks to bridge the gap between academic research and commercial startup ecosystems.🇮🇳 India: Decoupling Bureaucracy & Driving Multi-Lateral Innovation


In India: Decoupling Bureaucracy & Driving Multi-Lateral Innovation
India's recent science, technology, and innovation frameworks focus heavily on self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat), commercializing deep tech, and relaxing historic regulatory bottlenecks
India's recent science, technology, and innovation frameworks focus heavily on self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat), commercializing deep tech, and relaxing historic regulatory bottlenecks.     (1,2)
• The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF): Operating as a central body, the  ANRE serves to bridge the gap between academia, state research labs, and private industries, ensuring that public R&D spending transitions directly into commercialized patents.    (1) 
• "Ease of Research" Policy Reforms: To address bureaucratic hurdles, the government enacted major administrative overhauls. These doubled financial spending ceilings for institutional research directors and authorized universities to bypass government e-marketplaces for highly specialized, global scientific equipment. (1)
• Strategic and Mission-Mode Tech: The Vigyan Dhara Scheme consolidated isolated funding tracks into a cohesive national priority framework targeting critical fields: Semiconductors, Green Hydrogen, Quantum Computing, Deep-Tech, and Space Expansion (such as the successful Spadeex docking mission and human spaceflight infrastructure).   (1,2)
• Global Leadership: Serving as the BRICS 2026 Chair, India's Ministerial Meetings are steering cooperative framework architectures toward "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability". (1,2)
United States: Techno-Strategic Competition & Supply Chain Resilience
US STI policy has firmly pivoted to treat scientific innovation as an explicit sub-discipline of national security, economic independence, and military superiority. [1, 2]
• National Security Science & Technology Strategy (NSSTS): Released directly by the White House Office of Science  and Technology Policy   (OSTP)   this strategy aims to redirect federally funded R&D to complement private market capital rather than compete with it. The document dictates four core pillars: Focusing Techno-Strategic Competition, Building Technological Resilience, Accelerating Commercial Adoption, and Protecting Ecosystems from Foreign Theft.
• Refining Critical Technologies: The US revised its official Critical and Emerging Technologies list down from 18 to 14 foundational categories, hyper-focusing attention on Post-Quantum Cryptography, 2D Materials, High-Entropy Alloys, and Hardened Operating Systems.
• CHIPS Act Pressures: As the 2026 fiscal deadline approaches for allocating incentives under the CHIPS and Science Act, the US Department of Commerce faces critical pressure to deploy final commercial semiconductor fab funding amidst shifting executive scrutiny, labor shortages, and strict environmental compliance deadlines.
• In 
  Sri Lanka: Structuring Ecosystems & Forging Bilateral Links

  Faced with a historically low Global Innovation Index (GII) score driven by weak university-to-industry partnerships and minimal patent pipelines, Sri Lanka is leveraging structural restructuring and regional cooperation to revive its tech landscape.(1)

  • New National R&D Policy Formulation: Orchestrated through the National Innovative Agency National Innovation Agency  (NIA) and the Ministry of Science and Technology, Sri Lanka has designed a refreshed national blueprint aimed at boosting private sector engagement and offering tax incentives for industry-sponsored university laboratories.
  • Bilateral Indo-Sri Lanka Integration: Lacking individual domestic venture funding at scale, the country has paired with regional powers. The Indo-Sri Lanka Joint Research Programme recently formalized collaborative funding across dozens of research tracks and environmental workshops, establishing shared labs to tackle localized climate, agricultural, and energy crises.
  • National Academy Trust Initiative: Backed by corporate giants (such as Dialog Axiata and Commercial Bank), the National Academy of Sciences of Sri Lanka  (NASSL)  launched an overarching program running through 2028 to explicitly rebuild "trust in science" and funnel entrepreneurial investments into digital tech infrastructure, satellite engineering, and high-quality human resource training  (1,2,3,4,5,6,7)

  • source: Google