Portugal signs Artemis Accords
Portugal became the 60th country to sign the Artemis Accords, reinforcing its commitment to international cooperation and to the principles of safety and sustainability in civil space activities conducted by signatory countries.
Portugal signed the Artemis Accords, a framework of principles for the exploration and civil use of space, with a focus on safety, sustainability, and international cooperation. The signing was celebrated during the 52nd Portugal-United States Standing Bilateral Commission in Lisbon, reinforcing bilateral dialogue and cooperation on science, technology, and space matters.
Established in 2020 by eight original signatories, including Australia, Canada, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States, the Artemis Accords aim to reinforce participating countries’ commitment to the principles of the Outer Space Treaty, the Registration Convention, and the Agreement on the Rescue and Return of Astronauts, and to promote best practices and principles of responsible behaviour for the exploration and civil use of space. Portugal is now the 60th signatory to these agreements.
The country’s accession to the Artemis Accords signifies more than a formal act, explains Hugo André Costa, executive director of the Portuguese Space Agency: “This signature reflects a shared commitment to peaceful, sustainable, and responsible space exploration, based on international cooperation, multilateralism, transparency, and the creation of benefits with a broad impact.” In recent years, Portugal has strengthened its participation in international space governance and space activity development, notably by deepening its involvement with UNOOSA, which led to the co-organisation of the “Management and Sustainability of Outer Space Activities” conference in Lisbon in 2024.
“Today, Portugal joins a cadre of nations that are building the framework for safe, transparent and prosperous activities in space. This is our generation’s golden age of exploration. Together, we are advancing innovation, driving international collaboration and discovering the secrets of the universe,” said Jared Isaacman, NASA administrator.
Jared Isaacman recalls that “Portugal is an active participant in international space initiatives and a leader in small satellite technologies” and emphasises that NASA is proud to collaborate with Portugal on Earth observation projects and, as a member of ESA, to contribute to NASA’s Artemis programme, which will be launched in the coming years and will take humans back to the Moon for the first time since Apollo.
The US Ambassador to Portugal, John J. Arrigo, who attended the meeting in Lisbon, said that “shared principles such as those in the Artemis Accords are essential to ensuring that space remains a domain of stability, security, and opportunity for all nations.”
“The principles upheld in the Artemis Accords—transparency, interoperability, responsible use of resources, among others—reflect what Portugal has been advocating at the United Nations and in the international community, notably through the Lisbon Declaration on Outer Space, with a strong contribution from the US as well. These principles build trust, reduce uncertainty, and promote a safe and accessible outer space for all,” concludes Hugo André Costa.
