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Artemis Accords
The Artemis Accords: Principles for Cooperation in the Civil Exploration and Use of the Moon, Mars, Comets, and Asteroids for Peaceful Purposes
Signatory nations of the Artemis Accords, highlighted in blue
Type	Space law
Signed	October 13, 2020; 5 years ago (October 13, 2020)
Parties	74
Languages	English

The Artemis Accords are an exciting set of rules for exploring outer space peacefully. They are built on friendly partnerships between countries and the United States. These agreements guide how people visit the Moon, explore Mars, and study distant space objects. The rules help nations work together as true friends. They ensure that space exploration stays safe, helpful, and open to everyone on Earth.

The Accords work alongside the famous Artemis program. This grand project was designed to send astronauts back to the Moon. Many different nations have joined the effort to explore deep space together. A huge total of 74 countries have signed these rules. Countries from Europe, Asia, South America, North America, Africa, and Oceania are partners. They all promise to follow good rules while exploring outer space.

The rules were created by experts at NASA and the United States Department of State. They want everyone to share their discoveries and help one another in emergencies. Space is huge, exciting, and full of mysteries. Having clear rules makes exploring new worlds much safer for our brave explorers.

What Are the Artemis Accords?

The Artemis Accords are an international guide for exploring our solar system. When countries travel far into space, they need to follow good rules. The Accords are based on a famous agreement called the Outer Space Treaty. That agreement was made back in 1967 by the United Nations. It says that space belongs to everyone and should only be used peacefully.

The new Accords create a modern framework for deep space exploration. They focus on visiting places like the Moon, Mars, comets, and rocky asteroids. Space agencies want to make sure everyone cooperates instead of competing unfairly. Signatures on the Accords mean countries agree to respect international space law.

These rules are not a strict law that forces punishment. Instead, they are strong promises made between world leaders. Nations sign the document to show they believe in teamwork and peace. Each signing nation promises to protect human history and share important scientific data.

Why Do We Need Rules for Space Travel?

Space travel is becoming easier and much more common. Many national space agencies build giant rockets to send probes to the Moon. In the future, many humans will work on space stations and moon bases. Without rules, astronauts might bump into each other or argue over work sites.

Space is also very dangerous and has harsh environments. Astronauts need to know that neighbors will assist them if something breaks. When everyone follows the same safety rules, accidents can be avoided completely. Clear rules help make sure scientific work runs smoothly for all teams.

Another big question is how to share space materials. The Moon has useful water ice and valuable lunar rocks. People can turn water ice into drinking water and rocket fuel. The Artemis Accords explain how nations can collect these resources extracted from the Moon fairly. The rules say that collecting samples does not mean a country owns space.

Connecting to the Artemis Program

The name of the Accords comes directly from the Artemis program. This major American space initiative was created to return astronauts to the Moon. NASA named the project after Artemis, the mythical twin sister of Apollo. Apollo was the name of the famous 1960s Moon missions.

The Artemis mission aims to land diverse crews on the lunar surface. It also prepares humanity for the giant leap toward the red planet Mars. Building a lunar base requires help from many friendly partner countries. Countries that sign the Accords are welcome to work on Artemis projects.

Working together allows countries to build amazing space systems. For example, different nations can build rocket parts, rovers, and habitats. The Accords ensure that all these high-tech machines fit and connect properly. Teamwork makes large goals easier and much cheaper to achieve.

How the Artemis Accords Began

In May 2020, news reports by Reuters revealed plans for new space agreements. The American government under the Donald Trump administration drafted the first ideas. Shortly after, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine officially revealed the Artemis Accords. He explained that world nations needed common rules before returning to the Moon.

NASA worked with the U.S. Department of State to draft the text. The National Space Council also helped design the guidelines. The team shared drafts with several partner countries to get helpful advice. Everyone wanted a system that supported peaceful science and safe travel.

The official launch happened on October 13, 2020. Leaders from eight founding nations signed the document in a special livestreamed event. These original countries were Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It marked the start of a brand new era in space exploration.

Growing Worldwide Membership

Soon after the first signing, more nations asked to join the agreement. Ukraine joined the Accords in November 2020 to support peaceful space exploration. In 2021, South Korea and New Zealand signed the document. Brazil became the very first South American nation to sign that summer.

Poland signed the Accords during the famous International Astronautical Congress in Dubai. Mexico joined the group near the end of 2021. Each new signature showed that interest in space exploration was spreading everywhere. Small and large nations alike wanted a seat at the table.

The year 2022 saw huge growth as many more nations joined. Israel, Romania, Bahrain, Singapore, and Colombia signed the Accords. France joined right on the 60th anniversary of its space agency, CNES. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and French President Emmanuel Macron supported this teamwork. Saudi Arabia joined soon after, followed by Nigeria and Rwanda at the United States–Africa Leaders Summit 2022.

Reaching Every Continent

Between 2023 and 2026, dozens more countries joined the global partnership. India signed the Accords while Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a special state visit. European nations like Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and Iceland quickly took part. Walther Pelzer signed for Germany at an embassy event in Washington D.C.

African nations including Angola, Senegal, Botswana, Mauritius, and Djibouti joined the team. Asian partners like Thailand, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and the Philippines also signed. Interestingly, Thailand and Senegal also joined China's International Lunar Research Station program. This proved that countries can love space science through different partnerships.

By late 2026, nations like Ireland, Croatia, and Paraguay joined as well. A grand total of 74 countries have promised to explore space together. The Accords represent an extraordinary community of explorers from every continent on Earth.

Key Principles for Peaceful Space Travel

The Artemis Accords contain ten main principles for exploring outer space. These principles explain how nations should act on the Moon and beyond. They take the words of the Outer Space Treaty and turn them into real actions. Let us look closely at the most important ideas inside the Accords.

Exploring Only for Peaceful Purposes

The very first rule is that all space missions must be peaceful. Countries agree never to use space equipment for warfare or hostility. Exploring the Moon must be an act of learning and discovery. International law protects space as a place of wonder for all humankind.

Astronauts visit space as ambassadors of all people on Earth. Their equipment should study rocks, search for ice, and build scientific shelters. Keeping missions peaceful allows scientists to work together without fear or suspicion. Peace is the bedrock of all space science.

Being Open and Sharing Scientific Discoveries

Science works best when curious minds share their hard-earned data freely. The Accords require nations to be open about their space activities. If a rover discovers frozen water, the scientists must share the results. Article XI of the Outer Space Treaty strongly supports this friendly sharing.

When countries publish their findings, kids, teachers, and scientists everywhere learn together. It also prevents two countries from wasting time doing the exact same test. Open data inspires schools, universities, and young future scientists around the globe. Sharing discoveries helps the entire human family grow smarter.

Working Together with Common Technology

Imagine traveling to the Moon and finding out your tools do not fit! The Artemis Accords encourage nations to use compatible equipment. This engineering concept is called interoperability. It means hatches, air hoses, plugs, and computer systems work together smoothly.

If one country builds a moon base, other friendly rovers should dock there. Standard parts make space travel much cheaper, safer, and far more reliable. When space agencies plan their hardware together, everyone benefits from the shared design.

Rescuing Astronauts in Danger

Space can be an unforgiving and harsh environment for human travelers. Spacesuits can leak, fuel can run low, and electronics can fail. The Accords remind everyone of the historic Rescue Agreement. This rule states that all nations must help astronauts in distress.

If an astronaut has an emergency, nearby bases must offer shelter and air. It does not matter what flag is on an astronaut's suit. Every explorer must help save lives whenever an accident happens far from home. Human life is always the top priority in space.

Registering Spacecraft and Space Gear

Whenever a country launches a rocket, it must tell the world. This requirement comes from an international rule called the Registration Convention. By registering spacecraft, experts can track everything orbiting Earth and the Moon.

Tracking spacecraft helps scientists map busy space lanes and avoid bad collisions. It also helps everyone know which country is responsible for each machine. Clear records keep space exploration well organized and very transparent.

Protecting Historic Landing Sites on the Moon

Did you know that human footprints still sit quietly on the Moon? Because the Moon has no wind, historic astronaut footprints remain preserved. The Accords promise to protect famous human and robotic landing sites. Places like the Apollo 11 base are considered shared world heritage.

Old probes and historic scientific instruments must not be damaged or destroyed. These historical sites show how humanity took its first steps into the cosmos. Future space travelers must treat these famous locations with great care and respect.

Harvesting Space Resources Responsibly

Future lunar explorers will need local materials to build shelters and breathe. Astronauts can melt lunar ice into drinking water and breatheable oxygen. Rocks can even be processed into tough bricks for building protective walls. The Accords say extracting resources is completely lawful under the Outer Space Treaty.

Taking a bucket of lunar soil does not mean a nation owns the Moon. It is just like fishing in the deep, shared waters of international oceans. A fisherman can keep the fish, but nobody owns the ocean itself. Signatories agree to follow fair, sustainable methods whenever they collect space minerals.

Setting Up Safe Zones for Science Work

Space missions involve rocket engines that blast out dust and gravel. Roaring rocket exhaust can easily ruin expensive solar panels and delicate sensors. To prevent accidents, the Accords allow countries to create temporary "safety zones."

These safety zones inform nearby teams where dangerous or sensitive operations happen. The zones must stay reasonable in size and should never block others unfairly. Outside scientists still have full access to explore celestial bodies freely. Safety zones simply give engineers room to do dangerous work safely.

Cleaning Up Dangerous Space Debris

Space junk is a growing problem around planet Earth. Old rocket boosters, dead satellites, and tiny paint chips fly at super-fast speeds. Even a tiny metal bolt can cause terrible damage to a space station. The Artemis Accords urge all nations to stop creating dangerous orbital debris.

Signatories promise to plan the end of their space missions very carefully. Dead satellites should be safely steered down to burn up in the atmosphere. On the Moon, countries must dispose of spent gear neatly instead of leaving junk behind. Keeping space clean protects future explorers for centuries to come.

Signatories from Around the World

Dozens of nations from every corner of the planet have signed the Accords. Each country sent top space officials or government ministers to sign. The list below shows the many diverse nations committed to peaceful space exploration.

Country	Continent	Date Signed	Official Representative
Australia	Oceania	October 13, 2020	Megan Clark, head of the Australian Space Agency
Canada	North America	October 13, 2020	Lisa Campbell, president of the Canadian Space Agency
Italy	Europe	October 13, 2020	Riccardo Fraccaro, Undersecretary of State at the Presidency of the Italian Council of Ministers
Japan	Asia	October 13, 2020	Hagiuda Koichi, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Luxembourg	Europe	October 13, 2020	Franz Fayot, Minister of the Economy
United Arab Emirates	Asia	October 13, 2020	Sarah Al Amiri, Chair of the United Arab Emirates Space Agency
United Kingdom	Europe	October 13, 2020	Graham Turnock, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency (extended to the Isle of Man)
United States	North America	October 13, 2020	James Bridenstine, NASA Administrator
Ukraine	Europe	November 12, 2020	State Space Agency Representative
South Korea	Asia	May 24, 2021	Lim Hyesook, Minister of Science and ICT
New Zealand	Oceania	May 31, 2021	Peter Crabtree, New Zealand Space Agency
Brazil	South America	June 15, 2021	Marcos Pontes, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation
Poland	Europe	October 26, 2021	Grzegorz Wrochna, president of the Polish Space Agency
Mexico	North America	December 9, 2021	Marcelo Ebrard, Secretary of Foreign Affairs
Israel	Asia	January 26, 2022	Uri Oron, Director General of the Israel Space Agency
Romania	Europe	March 1, 2022	Marius-Ioan Piso, president and CEO of the Romanian Space Agency
Bahrain	Asia	March 2, 2022	Dr. Mohamed Al Aseeri, CEO of the National Space Science Agency
Singapore	Asia	March 28, 2022	Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Trade and Industry
Colombia	South America	May 10, 2022	Marta Lucía Ramírez, Vice President and Foreign Minister
France	Europe	June 7, 2022	Philippe Baptiste, president of CNES
Saudi Arabia	Asia	July 14, 2022	Mohammed bin Saud Al-Tamimi, CEO of the Saudi Space Commission
Nigeria	Africa	December 13, 2022	Isa Ali Ibrahim, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy
Rwanda	Africa	December 13, 2022	Francis Ngabo, CEO of the Rwanda Space Agency
Czech Republic	Europe	May 3, 2023	Jan Lipavský, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Spain	Europe	May 30, 2023	Diana Morant, Minister of Science and Innovation
Ecuador	South America	June 21, 2023	Gustavo Manrique, Minister of Foreign Affairs
India	Asia	June 22, 2023	Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Ambassador of India to the United States
Argentina	South America	July 27, 2023	Daniel Filmus, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation
Germany	Europe	September 14, 2023	Walther Pelzer, Director General of the German Space Agency at DLR
Iceland	Europe	October 10, 2023	Ministry Representative
Netherlands	Europe	November 1, 2023	Harm van de Wetering, Director of the Netherlands Space Office
Bulgaria	Europe	November 9, 2023	Milena Stoycheva, Minister of Innovation and Growth
Angola	Africa	November 30, 2023	Ministry Representative
Belgium	Europe	January 23, 2024	Hadja Lahbib, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium
Greece	Europe	February 9, 2024	Giorgos Gerapetritis, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Uruguay	South America	February 15, 2024	Omar Paganini, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Switzerland	Europe	April 15, 2024	Guy Parmelin, Federal Councillor
Sweden	Europe	April 16, 2024	Mats Persson, Minister for Education
Slovenia	Europe	April 19, 2024	Government Representative
Lithuania	Europe	May 15, 2024	Aušrinė Armonaitė, Minister of Economy and Innovation
Peru	South America	May 30, 2024	Javier González-Olaechea, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Slovakia	Europe	May 30, 2024	Government Representative
Armenia	Asia	June 12, 2024	Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, Minister of High-Tech Industry
Dominican Republic	North America	October 4, 2024	Sonia Guzmán, Ambassador to the United States
Estonia	Europe	October 13, 2024	Erkki Keldo, Minister of Economy and Industry
Cyprus	Asia	October 23, 2024	Nicodemos Damianou, Deputy Minister of Research and Innovation
Chile	South America	October 25, 2024	Aisén Etcheverry, Minister of Science and Technology
Denmark	Europe	November 13, 2024	Christina Egelund, Minister of Higher Education and Science
Panama	North America	December 11, 2024	José Miguel Alemán Healy, Ambassador to the United States
Austria	Europe	December 11, 2024	Petra Schneebauer, Ambassador of Austria to the United States
Thailand	Asia	December 16, 2024	Pakorn Apaphant, Executive Director of the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency
Liechtenstein	Europe	December 20, 2024	Rainer Schnepfleitner, Director of the Office for Communications
Finland	Europe	January 21, 2025	Wille Rydman, Minister of Economic Affairs
Bangladesh	Asia	April 8, 2025	Ashraf Uddin, Secretary of Defence of Bangladesh
Norway	Europe	May 15, 2025	Cecilie Myrseth, Minister of Trade and Industry
Senegal	Africa	July 24, 2025	Maram Kairé, Director General of the Senegalese Space Study Agency
Hungary	Europe	October 22, 2025	Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Malaysia	Asia	October 26, 2025	Mohamad Hasan, Minister of Foreign Affairs at the 2025 ASEAN Summits
Philippines	Asia	October 27, 2025	Gay Jane Perez, Officer-in-charge of the Philippine Space Agency
Portugal	Europe	January 11, 2026	Helena Canhão, Secretary of State for Science and Innovation
Oman	Asia	January 26, 2026	Said al-Maawali, Minister of Transportation
Latvia	Europe	April 20, 2026	Dace Melbārde, Minister for Education and Science
Jordan	Asia	April 23, 2026	Dina Kawar, Jordanian Ambassador to the United States
Morocco	Africa	April 29, 2026	Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Malta	Europe	May 4, 2026	Clifton Grima, Minister for Education, Youth, Sports, Research and Innovation
Ireland	Europe	May 4, 2026	Peter Burke, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment
Paraguay	South America	May 7, 2026	Osvaldo Almirón Riveros, Minister President of the Paraguayan Space Agency
Botswana	Africa	June 25, 2026	David Tshere, Minister of Communications and Innovation
Serbia	Europe	July 16, 2026	Marko Đurić, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mauritius	Africa	July 17, 2026	Navindsing Jugmohunsing, Permanent Secretary
Turkey	Asia	August 31, 2026	Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Minister of Industry and Technology
Djibouti	Africa	September 14, 2026	Mohamed Siad Doualeh, Djiboutian Ambassador to the United States
Albania	Europe	September 21, 2026	Ferit Hoxha, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs
Croatia	Europe	September 23, 2026	Radovan Fuchs, Minister of Science, Education and Youth

Special Projects and Bilateral Agreements

In addition to signing the Accords, some countries make direct project deals. These special partnerships are called bilateral agreements. One great example is the Multi-Purpose Habitation module. This habitat project is a partnership between NASA and the Italian Space Agency.

Italian aerospace engineers build strong living modules for astronauts to stay in safely. These modules will give future explorers a cozy home on the lunar surface. Working on real projects brings the ideas in the Accords to life.

What Do People Think About the Accords?

Many space fans and scientists around the world love the Artemis Accords. They praise the agreements for bringing nations together under common guidelines. Experts say the Accords help turn old legal ideas into practical actions. Protecting historic lunar landing sites has also received praise worldwide.

The Accords help show how countries can cooperate peacefully without fighting over territory. Australia is a famous example because it signed both the Accords and the older Moon Treaty. Legal experts discuss how both agreements can work together peacefully. Combining ideas helps build clearer space laws that every country can accept.

Some legal scholars have shared questions and alternative opinions about the Accords. A few critics wonder if taking resources from the Moon conflicts with older treaties. They worry that private companies might gather space minerals too quickly. Other critics prefer rules made directly inside the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. Even with these healthy debates, the Artemis Accords continue guiding peaceful human exploration.

Future Lunar Exploration and Beyond

Exploring space is one of the most exciting adventures in human history. The Artemis Accords ensure that this grand adventure remains open to all nations. When astronauts return to the Moon, they will carry the hopes of the entire world. They will build lunar stations, study deep craters, and test new life-support systems.

The lessons learned on the Moon will help humans travel to Mars. Mars is much farther away, requiring months of long, dangerous travel. Having strong habits of international teamwork will keep crews safe during these long journeys. Deep space will be explored by friends working toward a shared, bright future.