posted 09-21-2026 08:05 PM               

NASA Welcomes Albania as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory

The Republic of Albania signed the Artemis Accords Monday during a ceremony hosted by NASA at the agency's headquarters in Washington, joining the coalition of like‑minded nations committed to the responsible and transparent exploration of space.

Above: U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Space and Environment Connor Tomlinson, left, NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson, Albania's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha, and Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the United States Ervin Bushati, right, are seen at the conclusion of an Artemis Accords signing ceremony Monday, September 21, 2026, at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The Republic of Albania signed the Artemis Accords Monday during a ceremony hosted by NASA at the agency's headquarters in Washington, joining the coalition of like‑minded nations committed to the responsible and transparent exploration of space.

"It is my privilege to welcome the Republic of Albania as the 73rd signatory of the Artemis Accords," said NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson. "The relationship between our nations goes back more than a century. Today, we extend that partnership into space."

Albania's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha signed on behalf of the country. Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the United States Ervin Bushati and the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Space and Environment Connor Tomlinson also participated in the event.

"It is a great honor for Albania to join the growing community of nations that have signed these important Artemis Accords," said Hoxha in remarks during the ceremony. "By taking this step, Albania affirms its commitment to peaceful, transparent, sustainable, and cooperative exploration of space. We do so as a country deeply committed to international law, multilateral cooperation, and the belief that humanity's greatest achievements are realized not in isolation, but through partnerships."

Marking a significant step in Albania's efforts to strengthen its use of space‑based data, Albania launched two dedicated Earth‑observation satellites, Albania‑1 and Albania‑2, in January 2023 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an example of how the United States is supporting Albania's capabilities in space.

Albania also has played an active role in NASA's Space Apps Challenge, hosting local events that connected students, technologists, and innovators with NASA's openly available Earth and space science data. NASA Space Apps is the world's largest annual global hackathon, mobilizing participants in more than 150 countries to develop creative solutions to real-world challenges using open data from NASA and partner space agencies to advance exploration for the benefit of all.

posted 09-23-2026 10:58 PM               

NASA Welcomes Croatia as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory

The Republic of Croatia became the 74th signatory to the Artemis Accords on Wednesday during a ceremony in the capital city of Zagreb with NASA and U.S. Department of State officials present.

"It is my privilege to welcome the Republic of Croatia as the latest signatory of the Artemis Accords," said NASA Deputy Matt Anderson in pre-recorded remarks during the ceremony. "Joining the Artemis Accords opens another chapter. We've aligned on the principles. The opportunities to contribute are growing. And now we can look toward what the United States and Croatia can accomplish together beyond Earth. Humanity's opportunities in space are endless, and we are proud to welcome Croatia to the Artemis Accords community."

Croatia's Minister of Science, Education, and Youth Radovan Fuchs signed on behalf of the country. U.S. Ambassador to Croatia Nicole McGraw and Gregory Mann, NASA Europe representative, attended event.

"Croatian scientists and companies are demonstrating growing interest in the space industry," said Fuchs. "We have therefore decided to expand our international cooperation by joining the Artemis Accords. This international agreement has been recognized as a key opportunity for the robust development of Croatia's scientific community, the introduction of new technologies, and the strengthening of the economy."

Croatia marked a major milestone with the successful launch of its first satellite, CroCube, on Dec. 21, 2024. The satellite reached orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, highlighting Croatia's growing technological capabilities and interest in space collaboration.

posted 09-24-2026 05:29 PM               

NASA Welcomes Côte d'Ivoire as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory

Côte d'Ivoire signed the Artemis Accords on Thursday as the 75th signatory during a signing ceremony in the nation's largest city Abidjan, marking the largest milestone yet for the international coalition of like-minded countries committed to peaceful and responsible space exploration.

"The United States and Côte d'Ivoire already cooperate on Earth," said NASA's Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson. "Today, we expand that partnership beyond it. Joining the Artemis Accords opens new opportunities for our scientists, engineers, and institutions to work together as humanity returns to the Moon and prepares for what comes next. We've aligned on the principles. The opportunities are in front of us. And now we can get to work."

The nation's Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Adama Diawara signed on behalf of the country in a ceremony held during Africa Space Expo ASPEX 2026. Chargé d'affaires Junaid Munir from the U.S. Department of State witnessed the ceremony.

"This is a great achievement, and important for Côte d'Ivoire's ambitions and for the rest of the African Union members," said Director General of the Space Agency of Côte d'Ivoire Tidiane Outtara.

Côte d'Ivoire has expanded its involvement in space science and technology through years of international cooperation. Since 2019, the National Office of Technical Development of Côte d'Ivoire and NASA have collaborated on Earth observation and geodesy, a field that measures Earth's shape, gravity, and movement. Together, the partners have advanced global geodetic networks, improved space‑based measurement techniques, and increased understanding of how Earth's systems interact.

The country later established the Space Agency of Côte d'Ivoire in 2025 to coordinate national efforts in Earth observation, space weather, astronomy, satellite navigation, and communications.

posted 09-25-2026 04:35 PM               

NASA Welcomes San Marino Signing the Artemis Accords

The Republic of San Marino became the 76th signatory to the Artemis Accords during a ceremony in the city of Rimini on Friday with NASA and U.S. Department of State officials present.

Above: Minister of Industry and Technological Research Rossano Fabbri signed on behalf of San Marino. Gregory Mann, NASA Europe representative, and U.S. Consul General in Florence Joseph Tordella participated in the event on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. (U.S. Department of State)

"San Marino joins a growing coalition of like-minded nations committed to the peaceful, transparent, and responsible exploration of space," said NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson. "President Trump has directed NASA to build a Moon Base and establish an enduring presence on the lunar surface. As we do, we are putting the principles of the Accords into practice. NASA has invited every Artemis Accords signatory to participate in our return to the Moon through scientific payloads, technology demonstrations, CubeSats, and other capabilities. San Marino is already looking toward that future."

Minister of Industry and Technological Research Rossano Fabbri signed on behalf of San Marino. Gregory Mann, NASA Europe representative, participated in the ceremony with the U.S. Consul General in Florence Joseph Tordella.  

"We are pleased and honored that the Republic of San Marino has been welcomed as the 76th signatory state of the Artemis Accords," said Fabbri. "We fully share the principles and values expressed in the Artemis Accords, and we are convinced that the signatory states united under the Accords will make a tangible contribution to promoting international cooperation in space and ensuring the use of space for peaceful purposes."

posted 09-28-2026 02:04 PM               

NASA Celebrates as Artemis Accords Surpasses 75 Signatories

Marking a significant expansion in the number of signatories to the Artemis Accords, NASA welcomed Albania, Croatia, Côte d'Ivoire, and San Marino, bringing total participation to 76 countries.

"Our momentum reflects a growing commitment to peaceful, responsible exploration and a shared understanding that the future in space will be shaped by those willing to lead," said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. "Nearly one-third of all signatories have joined since the start of President Trump's second term. As the President directs NASA to return Americans to the lunar surface and lay the groundwork for Mars, we are strengthening a coalition of partners who share our values and are ready to help shape the future of exploration."

The recent surge in growth reflects one of the most rapid expansions of international cooperation in civil space history. Nearly 40% of the world's nations are now collaborating with NASA to build a transparent, peaceful, responsible, and safe approach to space exploration. Nearly two-thirds of countries that signed the foundational 1967 Outer Space Treaty also have signed the Artemis Accords.

What began as an informal coalition of a small group of countries has developed into a large, structured community guided by the Signatories Group Method of Operations, adopted in 2024. Under this framework, the group meets twice annually, once at a technical workshop and once at a Principals' Meeting during the International Astronautical Congress (IAC). Virtual sessions are added throughout the year to support implementation.

As a result, participating countries have advanced agreed-upon recommendations on noninterference, interoperability, scientific data sharing, and registration practices.

Two major workshops this year further strengthened technical alignment. Signatories reviewed their planned lunar landings and orbital missions and took part in hands‑on sessions focused on open science and practical tools for sharing lunar data. Experts from dozens of countries worked through real-world examples of how to make mission information easier to find, use, and share, from releasing lunar science data to adopting common standards that reduce interference between missions.

This year's Artemis Accords Principals' Meeting at IAC in Antalya, Türkiye, beginning Monday, Oct. 5, will be co-chaired by NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson and Major General Roberto Melgar Sheen, director of the Peruvian Space Agency (CONIDA). The meeting will examine ways to support emerging space nations and disseminate lunar debris‑mitigation recommendations.