The Republic of San Marino has officially become the 76th signatory to the Artemis Accords, joining a growing coalition of nations committed to the peaceful and responsible exploration of space. The signing ceremony took place on Friday, September 25, 2026, in the city of Rimini, Italy, with officials from NASA and the U.S. Department of State in attendance.
Minister of Industry and Technological Research Rossano Fabbri signed the document on behalf of San Marino. The event was attended by Gregory Mann, the NASA Europe representative, and Joseph Tordella, the U.S. Consul General in Florence. In a statement, NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson welcomed the microstate to the group, noting that San Marino joins a community of like-minded nations dedicated to transparent space exploration.
“President Trump has directed NASA to build a Moon Base and establish an enduring presence on the lunar surface. As we do, we are putting the principles of the Accords into practice. NASA has invited every Artemis Accords signatory to participate in our return to the Moon through scientific payloads, technology demonstrations, CubeSats, and other capabilities. San Marino is already looking toward that future,” Anderson said.
Fabbri expressed the nation's enthusiasm for the partnership, stating that San Marino is honored to be welcomed as the 76th signatory state. He emphasized that the country fully shares the values expressed in the Accords and believes that the united signatory states will make a tangible contribution to promoting international cooperation in space and ensuring its use for peaceful purposes.
The Artemis Accords were established in 2020 by NASA, the U.S. State Department, and seven other founding nations in response to increasing government and private sector interest in lunar activities. The framework introduced the first set of practical principles designed to enhance safety and coordination among nations exploring the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
By signing the Accords, nations agree to several key commitments, including:
- Exploring space peaceably and transparently
- Rendering aid to those in need
- Enabling access to scientific data
- Ensuring activities do not interfere with those of others
- Preserving historically significant sites and artifacts by developing best practices
Participation in the Artemis Accords opens the door for future opportunities in lunar exploration with NASA, contributing to the broader goal of advancing humanity’s return to the Moon and shaping a new era of exploration and innovation.
<small>Source: NASA — read the original story there.</small>
