NASA deputy administrator Matt Anderson stated at the International Astronautical Congress in Antalya that Russia and China could join the Artemis Accords. Participation requires adherence to the principles of safe, transparent, and responsible space exploration. Currently, NASA does not consider Moscow and Beijing to be sufficiently aligned with these standards.
The Artemis Accords, established in 2020 by the US and seven other nations, now include 76 member countries. Russia and China are currently leading the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) project. Anderson noted that participation in other international space initiatives does not disqualify a nation from joining the Artemis framework.
NASA aims to increase partner contributions to the Artemis program through small satellites, scientific equipment, and engineering collaboration on lunar landers and rovers. Additionally, the agency plans to launch a civil space academy in the US, with the first cohort of students expected to begin their studies in the summer of 2028.
The Artemis program focuses on returning humans to the Moon and establishing infrastructure for future missions. In April, the Artemis II mission completed a crewed lunar flyby, marking the first such event in over 50 years. The next annual meeting for the signatories of the Artemis Accords is scheduled to take place in Germany in 2027.
