The Artemis Accords are a non-binding set of principles and a framework for cooperation in the civil exploration and use of outer space, established through a series of bilateral agreements between the United States and partner nations. Drafted by NASA and the U.S. Department of State, the Accords were launched on October 13, 2020, with eight initial signatory nations. The Accords were created to establish a common set of principles to govern the civil exploration and use of space, particularly as more countries and private companies began conducting missions to the Moon and beyond. They aim to "operationalize" the terms of the foundational Outer Space Treaty (OST) of 1967.
The Accords work by committing signatories to ten key principles for activities related to the Artemis Program, the U.S.-led effort to return humans to the Moon. Key provisions include conducting activities for Peaceful Purposes and ensuring Transparency in space policies. A critical mechanism is the Deconfliction of Activities through the establishment of "safety zones" to prevent harmful interference, implementing Article IX of the OST. The Accords also affirm that the extraction and utilization of Space Resources is consistent with the OST and does not constitute national appropriation. Other principles cover Interoperability, providing Emergency Assistance to astronauts, mitigating Orbital Debris, and preserving Space Heritage.
The Accords are explicitly grounded in and reinforce the Outer Space Treaty (OST) of 1967, and also affirm the importance of the Rescue and Return Agreement (1968) and the Registration Convention (1975). The core principles have remained consistent since 2020. The most notable change is the rapid growth in participation, with the number of signatories reaching 70 as of July 17, 2026.