San Marino Joins the Artemis Accords: A New Era for Space Exploration with NASA

On 25th September 2026, the Republic of San Marino officially became the 76th signatory of the Artemis Accords during a ceremony held in Rimini. This significant event was attended by representatives from NASA and the U.S. Department of State, including Gregory Mann, the NASA Europe representative, and Joseph Tordella, the U.S. Consul General in Florence.

During the ceremony, Matt Anderson, NASA’s Deputy Administrator, highlighted the importance of this partnership. “San Marino joins a growing coalition of like-minded nations committed to the peaceful, transparent, and responsible exploration of space,” he remarked. Anderson also noted that instructions from President Trump to establish a permanent presence on the lunar surface underscore the practical application of the Accords’ principles. He further invited all signatories of the Artemis Accords to collaborate with NASA on various initiatives related to lunar exploration, such as scientific payloads and technology demonstrations, indicating that San Marino is already looking ahead to these opportunities.

San Marino’s Commitment to International Cooperation

Minister of Industry and Technological Research, Rossano Fabbri, represented San Marino in signing the Accords. He expressed his country’s enthusiasm for joining this international initiative: “We are pleased and honoured that the Republic of San Marino has been welcomed as the 76th signatory state of the Artemis Accords,” he stated. Fabbri emphasized that his nation fully embraces the principles and values contained within the Accords, asserting that the collective efforts of the signatory states would significantly enhance international cooperation in space and ensure the peaceful use of outer space.

In 2020, the Artemis Accords were established by NASA and the U.S. State Department in collaboration with seven founding nations, motivated by the increasing interest from both governmental bodies and private enterprises in lunar exploration. These Accords outline a set of practical principles designed to improve safety and coordination among nations as they navigate the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Key commitments include:

• Peaceful and transparent exploration
• Rendering assistance to those in need
• Facilitating access to scientific data
• Ensuring activities do not disrupt others
• Preserving historically significant sites and artefacts through best practices

Forging a New Era of Exploration

By signing the Artemis Accords, nations not only open avenues for future lunar exploration in partnership with NASA but also contribute to humanity’s efforts to return to the Moon. This collaboration is seen as a pivotal step towards ushering in a new Golden Age of exploration and innovation in space.

For more information about the Artemis Accords, additional details can be found on the official NASA website.