{"id":409709,"date":"2026-04-21T02:01:07","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T16:01:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?guid=382b1ddcda92ecc0c39369926b7615d4"},"modified":"2026-04-21T02:01:07","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T16:01:07","slug":"nasa-welcomes-latvia-as-newest-artemis-accords-signatory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=409709","title":{"rendered":"NASA Welcomes\u00a0Latvia\u00a0as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory\u00a0\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Dace<\/a><\/figure>
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Latvia\u2019s Minister for Education and Science Dace Melb\u0101rde, second from right, signs the Artemis Accords, as NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, second from left, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg, left, and charg\u00e9 d\u2019affaires a.i. at the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia to the United States J\u0101nis Be\u0137eris, right, look on Monday, April 20, 2026, at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. <\/div>\n
NASA\/Joel Kowsky<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The Republic of Latvia signed the Artemis Accords Monday during a ceremony hosted by NASA at the agency\u2019s headquarters in Washington, becoming the 62nd nation to commit to responsible space exploration for all humanity. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe are proud to welcome Latvia to the Artemis Accords,\u201d said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. \u201cEach 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\u2019s commitment strengthens our shared vision for this next great era of exploration.\u201d<\/p>\n

Latvia\u2019s Minister for Education and Science Dace\u00a0Melb\u0101rde signed on behalf of the country. Charg\u00e9 d\u2019affaires a.i. at the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia to the United States J\u0101nis Be\u0137eris and U.S. Under Secretary\u00a0of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg also\u00a0participated\u00a0in the event.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cToday, Latvia aligns with a shared vision for humanity beyond Earth, grounded in international cooperation and the peaceful, transparent, and responsible exploration of outer space,\u201d said Melb\u0101rde. \u201cBy 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 the opportunity to deepen cooperation with the United States and NASA, contributing to future space activities under the Artemis framework. Participation in the Artemis Accords is also an investment in the development of our students, researchers, and innovators.\u201d <\/p>\n

Last month, NASA announced plans<\/a> to return to the Moon routinely and affordably, establishing an enduring presence and building a sustained lunar base. More than 40 Artemis Accords countries across six continents sent representatives to Washington for the event, announcing new opportunities for exploration and science. The group represented more than two thirds of the current Artemis Accords signatories.  <\/p>\n

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 accords introduced the first set of practical principles aimed at enhancing the safety and coordination between like-minded nations as they explore the Moon, Mars, and beyond.  <\/p>\n

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 ensure activities do not interfere with those of others, and to preserve historically significant sites and artifacts by developing best practices for space exploration for the benefit of all. <\/p>\n

More countries are expected to sign the Artemis Accords in the months and years ahead, as NASA continues its work to establish a safe, peaceful, and prosperous future in space. <\/p>\n

Learn more about the Artemis Accords at: <\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/artemis-accords<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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Camille Gallo \/ Elizabeth Shaw 
Headquarters, Washington 
202-358-1600 
camille.m.gallo@nasa.gov<\/a> \/ elizabeth.a.shaw@nasa.gov<\/a> <\/p>\n

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