There at the moment are 44 international locations signed as much as the USA’ lunar exploration coalition.
The Dominican Republic grew to become the newest membership member on Oct. 4, when Sonia Guzmán, ambassador of the Dominican Republic to the USA, signed the Artemis Accords on behalf of the nation.
“NASA is proud to welcome the Dominican Republic signing of the Artemis Accords as we increase the peaceable exploration of house to all nations,” mentioned NASA Administrator Invoice Nelson in a assertion.
“This marks a historic step in our dedication to worldwide collaboration in house exploration,” mentioned Guzmán. “This isn’t only a scientific or technological milestone — it represents a future the place the Dominican Republic contributes to the shared targets of peace, sustainability, and innovation past our planet.”
Associated: Artemis Accords: What are they & which international locations are concerned?
The Artemis Accords search to determine widespread rules to information house exploration, together with a framework for sustainable and accountable exploration of the moon. The US and 7 different nations had been the primary to signal the Artemis Accords again in 2020. Up to now, 11 nations have signed up in 2024 alone, most lately Armenia, Slovakia, Peru and Lithuania.
NASA goals to return astronauts to the moon later this decade and set up a sustained presence on Earth’s nearest neighbor. The initiative is called the Artemis program.
Representatives for Artemis Accords signatory nations will meet subsequent week, on Monday (Oct. 14), in the course of the Worldwide Astronautical Congress in Milan, to additional talk about the rules and implementation of the Accords.
China additionally has critical moon ambitions. Beijing plans to arrange a crewed outpost known as the Worldwide Lunar Analysis Station within the 2030s, with precursor robotic missions in 2026 and 2028. The nation additionally plans to land its first astronauts on the moon earlier than the top of the last decade.
Just like the U.S., China is in search of worldwide companions to assist on this effort. Russia is the chief accomplice, whereas others embody Azerbaijan, Belarus, Pakistan, Venezuela, Thailand and Serbia.
