The United States today welcomed the Principality of Liechtenstein as the 52nd signatory of the Artemis Accords, a historic framework for responsible space exploration. The signing ceremony took place at NASA Headquarters, where Rainer Schnepfleitner, Director of Liechtenstein’s Office for Communications, signed the Accords on behalf of the Government of Liechtenstein. He was joined by Ambassador of Liechtenstein to the United States Georg Sparber, U.S. Ambassador to the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein Scott C. Miller, and NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy.
Liechtenstein’s commitment to the Artemis Accords underscores its ongoing dedication to fostering international cooperation in space exploration and advancing sustainable practices in the emerging space economy. The United States congratulated Liechtenstein for its decision to join the growing coalition of nations working together to ensure responsible space exploration, which includes a strong focus on human rights, democratic values, and good governance.
“Liechtenstein is a valued partner, and its decision to sign the Artemis Accords further demonstrates its commitment to advancing international cooperation in space and beyond,” said NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy during the ceremony. “This partnership reflects our shared vision for space exploration that benefits all of humanity.”
The Artemis Accords, launched in 2020 by the United States and seven founding countries, provide a set of practical principles aimed at guiding safe, sustainable, and transparent space exploration activities. The Accords promote key principles such as peaceful exploration, transparency, cooperation, interoperability, emergency assistance, and the responsible use of space resources. Liechtenstein’s signature aligns it with the other 51 nations—including global space leaders like the United States, Japan, the European Union, India, and the United Arab Emirates—that have already affirmed their commitment to these guiding principles.
“Liechtenstein’s participation in the Artemis Accords is a significant step in its continued engagement with the global space community,” said U.S. Ambassador to Liechtenstein Scott C. Miller. “This partnership reflects the shared values that unite our countries, particularly in our efforts to advance the peaceful exploration and sustainable use of space.”
Liechtenstein’s decision to sign the Artemis Accords comes as part of its broader efforts to contribute to global governance in emerging fields, including space, technology, and sustainability. The signing also reflects Liechtenstein’s longstanding commitment to multilateralism, its dedication to the responsible use of space, and its desire to collaborate with other nations in creating a framework that ensures space exploration remains beneficial for all of humanity.
With the addition of Liechtenstein, the Artemis Accords now include 52 nations across all continents, demonstrating widespread global consensus on the importance of maintaining peace, security, and sustainability in space activities. As space exploration becomes increasingly vital to the future of humanity, the Accords represent a collective effort to guide the development of space exploration in a manner that benefits all nations, ensures the protection of outer space environments, and advances international cooperation.
The Artemis Accords are part of the United States’ broader efforts to expand space cooperation under the leadership of NASA and the U.S. Department of State, which work together to advance international partnerships and foster peaceful collaboration in space. This global initiative is critical as the world moves towards a new era of space exploration, including the upcoming Artemis missions that aim to land the first woman and the next man on the Moon, paving the way for human missions to Mars.
Liechtenstein’s signing of the Artemis Accords not only marks a new chapter in the Principality’s involvement in the space sector but also strengthens the global coalition dedicated to responsible and sustainable space exploration.
About the Artemis Accords:
The Artemis Accords were established in 2020 by the United States and seven partner countries, with the goal of setting standards for responsible behavior in space. The Accords provide a framework for cooperation in the peaceful exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond, supporting the use of space resources, space sustainability, and the establishment of international partnerships that further humanity’s shared goals in space exploration. The United States, alongside NASA and the Department of State, continues to lead outreach and implementation of the Accords, further expanding global participation.