Latvia Signs Artemis Accords, Becomes 62nd Signatory
Summary: On Monday, April 20, 2026, Latvia's Minister for Education and Science Dace Melbārde signed the Artemis Accords at NASA Headquarters in Washington, officially becoming the 62nd signatory of the framework for responsible space exploration. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman hosted the ceremony, stating: "Each new signatory strengthens a coalition committed to the transparent and peaceful exploration of space."
Credit: NASA / Joel Kowsky (Public Domain)
Signing Ceremony
On April 20, 2026, Latvia's Minister for Education and Science Dace Melbārde signed the Artemis Accords at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., in the Mary W. Jackson building. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman hosted the ceremony. U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg and Chargé d'affaires a.i. at the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia to the United States Jānis Beķeris also attended.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said: "We are proud to welcome Latvia to the Artemis Accords. Each new signatory strengthens a coalition committed to the transparent and peaceful exploration of space. The accords are the foundation for real missions and real cooperation on the lunar surface, and Latvia's commitment strengthens our shared vision for this next great era of exploration."
Melbārde stated: "Today, Latvia aligns with a shared vision for humanity beyond Earth, grounded in international cooperation and the peaceful, transparent, and responsible exploration of outer space. By joining the Artemis Accords, we make a clear commitment to these principles. Latvia already contributes to the global space ecosystem through its industry and research, and we look forward to the opportunity to deepen cooperation with NASA and international partners."
Artemis Accords Background
In 2020, during the first Trump Administration, the United States, led by NASA and the U.S. Department of State, joined with seven other founding nations to establish the Artemis Accords, responding to the growing interest in lunar activities by both governments and private companies.
The Artemis Accords introduced a set of practical principles aimed at enhancing the safety, transparency, and coordination of civil space exploration on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Signatory nations commit to: peaceful exploration, mutual assistance, avoiding harmful interference, transparency, emergency assistance, legal utilization of space resources, and protection of cultural artifacts.
Significance and Growth
In April 2026, NASA announced plans to return to the Moon routinely and affordably, establishing an enduring presence and building a sustained lunar base. Under this vision, the Artemis Accords have become increasingly significant. Over 40 nations have now signed the Artemis Accords, with Latvia becoming the 62nd signatory — following Switzerland and Brazil which joined in March 2026.
Signing the Artemis Accords means committing to explore peaceably and transparently, to render aid to those in need, to enable access to scientific data that all of humanity can learn from, to avoid harmful interference, to register space objects, and more. NASA expects more countries to sign in the months and years ahead as the agency continues its work to establish a safe, peaceful, and prosperous future in space.