The Netherlands is the thirty-first country to sign the Artemis Accords

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During a ceremony held at the Dutch Ambassador’s residence in Washington on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, the Netherlands became the 31st country to sign the Artemis Accords. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson participated in the signing ceremony on behalf of the US space agency, and Director of the Netherlands Space Office (NSO) Harm van de Wetering also signed on behalf of the Netherlands. By signing this agreement, countries support the United States by, among other things, combating space debris, providing assistance when someone needs it or preventing potential conflicts.

“NASA welcomes Holland as the newest and 31st member of the Artemis string family,” Nelson said. “Global leadership and cooperation are needed to ensure the peaceful and transparent exploration of space for the Artemis generation and beyond. As one of America’s oldest allies, NASA is proud to expand our partnership with the Netherlands and build a future defined by limitless possibilities and discovery.” The Artemis Accords establish a practical set of principles that guide cooperation between nations in space exploration, including those participating in NASA’s Artemis program.

“NASA and the Netherlands have been strong partners in space since the early days of space travel. Pushing boundaries through technology brings new responsibilities. By signing the Artemis Accords, we affirm the values ​​we share in space and recognize that we have a responsibility,” says van de Wetering. Shared.

NASA, in collaboration with the US State Department, drafted the Artemis Accords in 2020, along with seven other signatories. Iceland became the 30th country to sign the Artemis Accords in October.

The Artemis Accords reinforce and implement key commitments in the Outer Space Treaty of 1967. They also reinforce U.S. and signatory states’ commitment to the Registration Treaty, the Salvage and Return Convention, and best practices and standards of responsible conduct set forth by NASA and NASA. Its partners have supported it, including making scientific data public. The signatories will also discuss the implementation of the agreements’ basic principles, including how best to prevent inadvertent interference on the lunar surface.

In the coming months and years, more countries are expected to sign the Artemis Accords as NASA continues to work with its international partners to achieve a safe, peaceful, and prosperous future in space. Collaborating with new and existing partners adds new energy and capabilities to ensure that the entire world benefits from our journey of exploration and discovery.

source: NASA