Established 2020
The Artemis Accords
A framework for cooperative, responsible, and transparent space exploration — now signed by 61 nations and rooted in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.
61
Nations signed as of Jan 2026
2020
Year the Accords were established
1967
Outer Space Treaty foundation
7
Core governing principles
What Are the Artemis Accords?
As multiple nations and commercial actors began targeting the Moon, NASA and the U.S. State Department established the Artemis Accords in 2020 to create a shared framework for peaceful, transparent exploration.
The Accords are grounded in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty — the bedrock of international space law — and extend its principles into the modern era of commercial activity, resource utilization, and multi-nation operations.
They are not a binding treaty but rather a set of bilateral agreements between the U.S. and each signatory nation, creating a web of shared norms that shapes how all participants operate in space.
Core Framework
Seven Principles
The governing pillars that every signatory nation commits to uphold.
Peaceful Purposes
Signatories commit to conducting all space activities solely for peaceful purposes, consistent with the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. Military operations in space are explicitly excluded from Accords-covered activities.
Transparency
Nations publicly declare their space programs and plans, reducing the risk of misunderstanding or conflict. Transparency is the foundation of trust in cislunar space.
Interoperability
Systems, hardware, and infrastructure must interoperate internationally to enable joint operations and cross-rescue. A stranded crew anywhere in cislunar space must be reachable by any partner.
Emergency Assistance
Any signatory astronaut in distress must be assisted regardless of nationality. Space exploration is inherently dangerous — mutual aid is non-negotiable.
Space Object Registration
All objects launched to space must be registered under the Registration Convention. Traceability prevents collision, debris disputes, and attribution problems.
Release of Scientific Data
Lunar and deep-space science data must be publicly released to maximize humanity's collective benefit. Knowledge belongs to everyone — not just the nation that funded the mission.
Safety Zones
Nations may establish reasonable "safety zones" around active operations to prevent interference. These zones are not territorial claims — ownership of the Moon is prohibited by the Outer Space Treaty.
Growth
From 8 to 61 Nations
The Accords have grown from 8 founding signatories in 2020 to 61 nations as of January 2026.
2020
8
nations
Founding signatories at Artemis Accords launch
2021
13
nations
First expansion round
2022
21
nations
European and Asian signatories join
2023
33
nations
African and Latin American nations join
2024
50
nations
Majority of space-capable nations onboard
Jan 2026
61
nations
Oman becomes 61st signatory
The 1967 Outer Space Treaty
The Artemis Accords build directly on the Outer Space Treaty — the foundational document of international space law signed by 112 nations. Negotiated during the Space Race, it established that space belongs to all of humanity: no nation can claim sovereignty over the Moon or any celestial body.
Signed
1967
Current Signatories
112 nations
Core Principle
Space belongs to all humanity