In a first, NASA astronaut Joseph M Acaba arrived in Dhaka today to engage with local youth, academia, and media.

Acaba's visit is a significant milestone, marking the first time NASA's chief of the Astronaut Office has travelled to Bangladesh, said the US embassy in a statement.

His tour will include interactive sessions with students, where he is expected to impress upon young minds to pursue careers in space science, robotics, and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education.

Acaba is also expected to engage in discussions on the role of space exploration in advancing technology and addressing global challenges, such as the climate crisis.

In addition to his academic engagements, Acaba is scheduled to give an interview to a TV channel, sharing insights on NASA's contributions to global science and technology, and how Bangladesh can benefit from collaborative efforts in space exploration and technology innovation through the Artemis Accords.

The Artemis Accords promote principles for a safe, peaceful, and prosperous future in space to foster further collaboration between NASA and Bangladesh's growing space and technology sectors.

Acaba is an American educator, hydrogeologist, and a returned peace corps volunteer. In May 2004, he became the first person of Puerto Rican descent to be named a NASA astronaut. In 2023, Acaba was appointed the chief of the Astronaut Office.

As an astronaut, Acaba logged over 306 days in space across three missions - including spacewalks and groundbreaking scientific research aboard the International Space Station.