Artemis Accords expand to 50 Nations with Austria and Panama signing

Artemis Accords expand to 50 Nations with Austria and Panama signing
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 13, 2024

Panama and Austria have officially joined the Artemis Accords, becoming the 49th and 50th signatories, respectively. The agreements, signed at NASA Headquarters in Washington, affirm these nations' commitment to ethical and collaborative space exploration.

"NASA welcomes Panama and Austria to the Artemis Accords community and celebrates 50 countries united by shared principles for the safe and responsible exploration of space," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. "More than ever before, NASA is opening space to more nations and more people for the benefit of all. Together we are building long-term and peaceful deep space exploration for the Artemis Generation."

Since the Accords were launched with eight founding members in 2020, they have grown into a global initiative, with 17 new signatories added in 2024 alone. The Artemis Accords represent a collective commitment to safe and sustainable space exploration and emphasize principles such as non-interference, data sharing, interoperability, and debris management.

The upcoming priorities include advancing sustainability measures, such as managing debris in lunar orbit and on the Moon's surface, to ensure the long-term safety of space activities.

Austria Signs Artemis Accords

Petra Schneebauer, Austria's ambassador to the United States, signed on behalf of her country, marking Austria as the 50th nation to join the initiative.

"Austria is proud to sign the Artemis Accords, an important step in fostering international cooperation for the civil exploration of the Moon and expanding humanity's presence in the cosmos," Schneebauer stated. "By signing the Accords, we reaffirm our commitment to the peaceful, responsible, and cooperative use of space while emphasizing our support for strong multilateral partnerships and scientific progress. This cooperation will open new prospects for Austrian businesses, scientists, and research institutions to engage in pioneering space initiatives."

Jennifer Littlejohn, acting assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of State, was also present for Austria's signing ceremony.

Panama Joins Artemis Accords

Earlier in the day, Panama's ambassador to the United States, Jose Miguel Aleman Healy, signed the Artemis Accords during a separate event. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson hosted the ceremony, with Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Tony Fernandes from the U.S. Department of State in attendance.

"Today, Panama takes its place among many other nations looking not just to our own horizons, but to the horizons beyond our planet - exploring, learning, and contributing to humanity's collective knowledge," Aleman said. "This moment represents far more than a diplomatic signature. It is a bold commitment to peaceful exploration, scientific discovery, and international collaboration."

Launched in 2020, the Artemis Accords were developed by NASA and the U.S. Department of State alongside seven founding nations to promote responsible and beneficial space exploration. The Accords are rooted in international agreements like the Outer Space Treaty, the Registration Convention, and the Rescue and Return Agreement. They also embrace NASA-supported norms, including the open release of scientific data.

Participation in the Artemis Accords is voluntary, and nations that adhere to the values of safe, transparent, and responsible behavior in space are encouraged to sign.