{"id":540018,"date":"2026-09-15T02:46:07","date_gmt":"2026-09-14T16:46:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?p=1046742"},"modified":"2026-09-15T02:46:07","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T16:46:07","slug":"nasa-welcomes-djibouti-as-newest-artemis-accords-signatory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=540018","title":{"rendered":"NASA Welcomes Djibouti\u00a0as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory\u00a0\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
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NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson, center, Ambassador of Djibouti to the United States, Mohamed Siad Douale, left, and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Frank Garcia, right, pose for a group photograph after the Artemis Accord signing, Monday, September 14, 2026, at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. <\/div>\n
NASA\/Bill Ingalls<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The Republic of Djibouti became the 72nd nation and eighth African country to sign the Artemis Accords during a ceremony Monday at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The Artemis Accords are the first set of practical principles aimed at enhancing transparency, safety, and coordination among nations as they explore the Moon, Mars, and beyond.<\/p>\n

\u201cDjibouti joins this coalition of like-minded nations at an important time,\u201d said NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson, who hosted the ceremony. \u201cPresident Trump has directed NASA to return Americans to the lunar surface, establish an enduring presence, and lay the foundation for human exploration of Mars. NASA will lead, but we will not do it alone. We are creating opportunities for Artemis Accords nations to contribute hardware, scientific payloads, technology demonstrations, CubeSats, and other capabilities to future missions.\u201d <\/p>\n

Ambassador of Djibouti to the United States Mohamed Siad Douale signed on behalf of Djibouti. U.S. State Department Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Frank Garcia also participated in the event.<\/p>\n

Djibouti\u2019s national space program, launched in 2020 and managed by the Centre for Studies and Research of Djibouti within the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, has steadily expanded its technical capabilities. The nation successfully launched its first satellites, Djibouti 1A and Djibouti 1B, in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Both reached orbit aboard American Falcon 9 rockets launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, an early example of how the U.S. is supporting Djibouti capabilities in space.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy joining the Artemis Accords, Djibouti seeks to deepen its partnership with the United States and with the growing community of nations committed to peaceful space cooperation,\u201d said Douale. \u201cWe look forward to building partnerships in scientific research, satellite applications, education, and technical training, while creating new opportunities for Djibouti students, researchers, engineers, and entrepreneurs.\u201d<\/p>\n

In 2020, NASA and the State Department 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, and committing nations to:<\/p>\n