Artemis Accords Expand: Latvia and Jordan Join Space Framework
"Peaceful and transparent exploration" lies at the heart of the Artemis Accords, which now count 63 signatory nations.
Two nations have signed the Artemis Accords in April 2026, becoming the 62nd and 63rd countries to join the international space exploration framework.
Latvia Signs Accords
Latvia signed the Artemis Accords on April 20, 2026, at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. The country's Minister for Education and Science, Dace Melbārde, signed the document on behalf of the Republic of Latvia.
The ceremony was attended by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg, and Jānis Beķeris, chargé d'affaires a.i. at the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia to the United States. More than 40 Artemis Accords countries sent representatives to the event.
Jordan Signs Accords
Jordan signed the Artemis Accords on April 23, 2026, during a ceremony at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Ambassador Dina Kawar signed on behalf of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and U.S. Department of State Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Ruth Perry attended the ceremony.
Background on the Artemis Accords
The Artemis Accords were established in 2020 by the United States and seven other founding nations. The agreement outlines principles for civil space exploration, including:
- Peaceful and transparent exploration
- Rendering aid to astronauts in distress
- Enabling access to scientific data
- Ensuring activities do not harmfully interfere with other signatories' activities
- Preserving historically significant space sites
The U.S. Department of State and NASA lead the outreach and implementation of the Accords.
Additional Context
The United States and Latvia maintain science and technology partnerships, with research cooperation expanding under a 2024 bilateral Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement.
In 2018, Jordan launched the JY1 CubeSat, developed by university students, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Jordan also operates a privately owned analog research facility in Wadi Rum, where the Jordan Space Research Initiative conducted PETRA1 and PETRA2 missions in 2024 and 2025.