Artemis Accords: What to Know About NASA’s 51-Nation Strong Space Agreement

Neither Russia nor communist China have signed the accords. The United States is the only signatory with human spaceflight capabilities.

A full Moon is seen behind the Artemis I Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft, atop the mobile launcher at Launch Complex 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 14, 2022. Cory Huston/NASA via AP

The Artemis Accords got its 51st signatory this week, with Thailand joining the international agreement on Dec. 16.

Created in 2020, the accords are tied to NASA’s Artemis Program and are, according to the administration, intended to “establish a political understanding regarding mutually beneficial practices for the future exploration and use of outer space, with a focus on activities conducted in support of the Artemis Program.”