Portugal has signed the Artemis Accord, officially joining the growing list of countries committed to promoting responsible space exploration.
The signing was led by Portugal’s Secretary of State for Science and Innovation, Helena Cañón, during a ceremony in Lisbon on the sidelines of the biannual U.S.-Portuguese Government Cooperation Conference.
Portugal is the latest of 60 countries to approve the agreement, which strengthens its commitment to international cooperation on the Moon, Mars and broader space missions.
Commenting on the signing, Hugo Costa, Director General of the Portuguese Space Agency, said: “2026 is the year humans will return to the moon.
“This will mark the beginning of a new era of space exploration, reminiscent of Portuguese explorers of the past, such as Magellan and his circumnavigation of the Earth.
“As a nation that approaches space sustainability with great care and responsibility, Portugal and the Portuguese Space Agency are proud to join the Artemis Accord and contribute to the sustainable, beneficial and peaceful use of space for all humanity.”
Origin of the Artemis Accords
The Artemis Accords were established in 2020 with NASA, the U.S. Department of State, and seven founding nations. The initiative was launched in response to growing interest in lunar activities by both governments and private companies.
These agreements introduced the first practical set of principles for civil space exploration and created a framework to enhance the safety, transparency, and coordination of missions beyond Earth.
Since its creation, the number of signatories has steadily increased as more countries seek to participate responsibly in space exploration.
Key principles of the Artemis Accords
The Artemis Accord outlines a range of commitments for signatory countries to ensure that space activities are conducted safely, sustainably, and for the benefit of all.
Key principles include:
Peaceful and Transparent Exploration: All space activities are conducted for peaceful purposes in accordance with the Outer Space Treaty. The signatories are committed to openly sharing information about national space policy and exploration programs. System Interoperability: To support safe and effective missions, countries agree to adopt current interoperability standards and develop new standards as needed. Emergency Assistance: Countries commit to providing assistance to astronauts in distress under the Rescue and Return Agreement. Space object registration: Accurate registration supports coordination and prevents harmful interference between space activities. Heritage preservation: Historically significant sites and artifacts in space need to be protected. Sustainable resource use: Resource extraction and use on the Moon, Mars, and asteroids must support safe and sustainable exploration in accordance with treaty obligations. Safety zones: Temporary operational zones can be used to prevent interference, taking into account the nature of the activity and adhering to the principles of free access and due consideration. Orbital Debris Mitigation: Signatories commit to developing safe spacecraft disposal plans to minimize debris and ensure a sustainable space environment.
These principles strengthen existing international treaties while establishing operational guidelines for cooperative space exploration activities.
Portugal’s role in international space cooperation
By signing the Artemis Accord, Portugal has joined a framework that promotes international cooperation, the sharing of scientific data and responsible exploration practices.
The Lisbon ceremony highlights the country’s participation in global space governance and its commitment to aligning domestic space efforts with international standards.
The agreement also fosters coordination among nations on joint missions and ensures that civil space operations are conducted safely and sustainably.
Global expansion of the Artemis Accords
Since its creation, the Artemis Accord has expanded from its original eight founding countries to 60 signatories, with more countries expected to join in the coming years.
This growing coalition reflects a global commitment to transparent, peaceful and cooperative space exploration.
NASA and other signatories emphasize that these agreements are not only a framework for safe exploration, but also a foundation for promoting peaceful international relations and promoting the sharing of scientific knowledge.
Portugal’s signing of the Artemis Accords marks an important step in the global effort to build a coordinated, sustainable and cooperative approach to exploration of the Moon, Mars and beyond, ensuring that space activities benefit all humanity.
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