Science
San Marino Becomes 76th Nation to Join NASA's Artemis Accords
The Republic of San Marino has formally joined the international pact for lunar exploration, aligning with 75 other nations committed to peaceful space activities.
The Republic of San Marino has formally become the 76th nation to endorse the Artemis Accords, an international framework designed to govern the peaceful and responsible exploration of outer space. The historic signing ceremony took place in the Italian city of Rimini on Friday, September 25, 2026, marking a significant step for the microstate in its engagement with global space initiatives. Dignitaries from NASA and the U.S. Department of State were present to witness the accession.
Rossano Fabbri, San Marino’s Minister of Industry and Technological Research, affixed his signature to the agreement, symbolising the nation's commitment to the accord’s guiding principles. The event was attended by Gregory Mann, the NASA Europe representative, alongside Joseph Tordella, the U.S. Consul General in Florence, highlighting the diplomatic and scientific collaboration underpinning the Accords.
NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson extended a warm welcome to San Marino, underscoring the burgeoning international alliance. Mr Anderson remarked that San Marino’s entry strengthens "a growing coalition of like-minded nations committed to the peaceful, transparent, and responsible exploration of space." This coalition aims to foster a common understanding of safe and sustainable practices as humanity ventures further into the cosmos, particularly in lunar exploration.
The core tenets of the Artemis Accords are integral to NASA’s ambitious plans for establishing a sustained human presence beyond Earth. Deputy Administrator Anderson reiterated that former President Trump had issued a directive for NASA to construct a permanent Moon Base and ensure an enduring human footprint on the lunar surface. He emphasised that, in pursuing these objectives, the agency is actively embedding the principles of the Accords into its operational framework, ensuring that future lunar activities adhere to shared international standards.
To facilitate broad participation, NASA has extended an open invitation to all signatories of the Artemis Accords to contribute to the upcoming lunar missions. This collaborative approach allows nations to engage through various means, including the provision of scientific payloads, the demonstration of advanced technologies, and the deployment of CubeSats. According to Mr Anderson, San Marino is already anticipating its role in this future, signifying its readiness to contribute to the collective endeavour of lunar exploration.
Minister Fabbri conveyed his nation's profound satisfaction regarding its inclusion in the international agreement. "We are pleased and honored that the Republic of San Marino has been welcomed as the 76th signatory state of the Artemis Accords," he stated. Mr Fabbri further affirmed San Marino's complete concurrence with the fundamental principles and values articulated within the Artemis Accords, reinforcing the collective commitment to a cooperative and ethical future in space exploration. The accession of San Marino underscores the expanding global consensus on the governance of space activities and the shared aspiration for peaceful celestial exploration.
Reporting by the The Indian Morning Post Editorial Desk.
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