Within two weeks, two more countries have joined the Artemis Accords. Turkey signed on 31 August 2026 at NASA Headquarters in Washington and became the 71st signatory. On 14 September 2026, Djibouti followed as the 72nd country.
The two signings
- Turkey: Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır signed for Turkey. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman hosted the ceremony.
- Djibouti: Ambassador Mohamed Siad Douale signed for the Republic of Djibouti. NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson hosted the ceremony together with Frank Garcia, Assistant Secretary for African Affairs at the U.S. State Department.
What the Artemis Accords are
The United States and seven founding nations established the Artemis Accords in 2020. According to NASA, they introduced the first set of practical principles to enhance the safety, transparency and coordination of civil space exploration on the Moon, Mars and beyond. The accords respond to the growing interest of governments and private companies in lunar activities.
Why it matters for the space industry
As more nations and companies plan missions to the Moon, shared rules become more important. Principles on transparency, the coordination of activities and the handling of space debris create a common framework for operators from many countries. With 72 signatories, the accords are one of the most widely supported frameworks for civil space exploration.
Related reading
- Artemis Accords Pass 75 Signatories: Croatia, Côte d’Ivoire and San Marino Join
- The Outer Space Treaty: The Legal Foundation of Spaceflight
- Commercial Lunar Deliveries: How NASA Buys Rides to the Moon
Sources
- NASA, "NASA Invites Media to Turkey Artemis Accords Signing Ceremony", 27 August 2026: nasa.gov
- NASA, "NASA Invites Media to Djibouti Artemis Accords Signing Ceremony", 10 September 2026: nasa.gov
Cover image: Djibouti's Ambassador Mohamed Siad Douale speaks at the Artemis Accords signing ceremony at NASA Headquarters, 14 September 2026. Image: NASA/Bill Ingalls, images.nasa.gov.