NASA has signed two more countries to the Artemis Accords, welcoming Peru and Slovakia at separate signing ceremonies in Washington, D.C., on May 30, 2024.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson attended both signings. He said Peru’s joining was a “giant leap forward for our countries, a result of decades of work Peru has done to further its reach in the cosmos.”
Later in the day, speaking about Slovakia, Nelson said the United States and Slovakia shared a deep understanding of the power of exploration. “Through this new chapter in our nations’ partnership, we will further this global coalition to explore the cosmos openly, responsibly, and in peace.”
Peru became the 41st country to sign the Artemis Accords and Slovakia the 42nd.
“Peru, by joining the Artemis Accords, seeks not only to express a common vision with the other member countries but also to establish cooperation mechanisms with these countries, especially with the United States, to participate in activities of exploration and sustainable use of resources found in space, as well as to promote aerospace scientific development in our country,” said Peru’s Foreign Minister, Javier González-Olaechea.
“Slovakia perceives the Artemis Accords as a great opportunity for this generation to positively define guidelines and principles for the responsible and sustainable exploration and use of outer space,” said Slovakia’s Minister of Education, Research, Development, and Youth, Tomáš Drucker.
The United States and seven other nations were the first to sign the Artemis Accords in 2020, which identified an early set of principles promoting the beneficial use of space for all humanity. The accords are grounded in the Outer Space Treaty and other agreements including the Registration Convention, the Rescue and Return Agreement, as well as best practices and norms of responsible behavior that NASA and its partners have supported, including the public release of scientific data.
