Thailand has officially joined NASA’s Artemis Accords, becoming the 51st nation to commit to a safe, open, and responsible exploration of space for the benefit of humanity. The signing ceremony took place in Bangkok on Monday.


Pakorn Apaphant, the executive director of Thailand’s Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), signed the Artemis Accords on behalf of Thailand. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson delivered closing remarks via a pre-recorded video message, emphasising the significance of this milestone in global cooperation for space exploration.


“Thailand’s commitment to the Artemis Accords will enhance the country’s engagement with NASA and the international community,” Nelson said, adding: “By signing the accords, Thailand builds upon an important foundation and shows great leadership for the open, responsible and peaceful exploration of space.”






What Are The Artemis Accords?


The Artemis Accords were introduced in 2020 by the United States, spearheaded by NASA and the US Department of State, along with seven founding nations. Built on principles established by the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and other key agreements — including the Registration Convention and the Rescue and Return Agreement — the accords aim to promote transparency, peaceful use of space, and scientific collaboration among nations.


Key principles of the Artemis Accords include peaceful and responsible exploration of space, public release of scientific data, and international collaboration to ensure the safety and sustainability of space activities.


Who Were the First 50 Nations To Sign Artemis Accords?


Since the introduction of the Artemis Accords in 2020, as many as 51 nations have so far embraced this collaborative framework, underscoring the importance of international partnerships in space exploration. The initial seven signatories, including the United States, set the stage for a growing coalition that now spans the globe. 


When India became a signatory in 2023, it was the 27th nation to join the group. In December 2024, Austria became the 50th country to sign the Artemis Accords, a milestone celebrated at the NASA Headquarters. 


Here are the 51 signatories so far: 


1. Australia: October 13, 2020
2. Canada: October 13, 2020
3. Italy: October 13, 2020
4. Japan: October 13, 2020
5. Luxembourg: October 13, 2020  
6 United Arab Emirates: October 13, 2020
7. United Kingdom: October 13, 2020
8. United States: October 13, 2020
9. Ukraine: November 12, 2020
10. South Korea: May 24, 2021
11. New Zealand: May 31, 2021
12. Brazil: June 15, 2021
13. Poland: October 26, 2021
14. Mexico: December 20, 2021
15. Israel: January 26, 2022
16. Romania: March 1, 2022
17. Bahrain: March 2, 2022
18. Singapore: March 28, 2022
19. Colombia: May10, 2022
20. France: June 7, 2022
21. Saudi Arabia: July 14, 2022
22. Nigeria: December 13, 2022
23. Rwanda: December 13, 2022
24. Czech Republic: May 3, 2023 
25. Spain: May 30, 2023
26. Ecuador: June 21, 2023
27. India: June 21, 2023
28. Argentina: July 27, 2023
29. Germany: September 24, 2023
30. Iceland: October 10, 2023
31. Netherlands: November 1, 2023
32. Bulgaria: November 9, 2023
33. Angola: November 30, 2023
34. Belgium: January 23, 2024
35. Greece: February 9, 2024
36. Uruguay: February 15, 2024
37. Switzerland: April 15, 2024
38. Sweden: April 16, 2024
39. Slovenia: May 19, 2024
40. Lithuania: May 15, 2024
41. Peru: May 30, 2024
42. Slovakia: May 30, 2024
43. Armenia: June 12, 2024
44. Dominican Republic: October 4, 2024 
45. Estonia: October 13, 2024
46. Cyprus: October 23, 2024
47. Chile: October 25, 2024
48. Denmark: November 13, 2024
49. Panama: December 11, 2024
50. Austria: December 11, 2024
51. Thailand: December 16, 2024