On October 13, 2024, Estonia became the 45th country to sign the Artemis Accords, a global initiative focused on the peaceful and sustainable use of space. The signing took place in Milan, Italy, where Estonia’s Minister of Economy and Industry, Errki Keldo, represented the country. Other key officials present included Silver Tammik, MEAC’s Director of EU and International Affairs, Paul Liias, Head of Space Policy, and Estonian Ambassador to Italy, Lauri Bambus. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Rahima Kandahari were also in attendance.
The Artemis Accords, first established in 2020 by the United States and seven other nations, outline principles for responsible space exploration. These guidelines include transparency, peaceful use of space, and international cooperation to ensure sustainable space activity. Estonia joins a growing list of 44 other countries, including major space players like the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Japan, in affirming their commitment to these principles.
The United States warmly welcomed Estonia into the group, signaling a deeper partnership in the field of space exploration. Estonia’s decision to sign the Accords aligns with global efforts to collaborate on space missions and develop safe and sustainable practices in space exploration.
NASA and the U.S. Department of State play a central role in implementing and promoting the Artemis Accords. As more nations join, the vision of a collaborative and responsible approach to space becomes stronger, ensuring that outer space remains a shared domain for the benefit of all humanity.
Estonia’s addition to the Accords is another step towards uniting countries in space exploration and ensuring the long-term sustainability of space activities. With this partnership, Estonia looks forward to working alongside other nations to uphold the principles of the Artemis Accords in the years to come.
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