Croatia signs Artemis Accords, joins 74 nations in lunar exploration efforts

Croatia became the 74th country to sign the Artemis Accords on Wednesday, joining a ceremony in Zagreb attended by NASA and U.S. State Department officials. NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson welcomed the Republic of Croatia, saying the agreement “strengthens our shared commitment to peaceful, sustainable exploration of the Moon.” The signing marks the first time a former Yugoslav republic has joined the U.S.-led framework for lunar cooperation.

The Artemis Accords, first unveiled in 2020, set out a set of principles for nations working together on NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon by 2025 and establish a long‑term presence there. More than 70 countries have signed on, signaling broad international support for the next phase of space exploration. Croatia’s entry comes as its national space agency, the Croatian Space Agency (CSA), expands its portfolio beyond Earth‑observation satellites to include lunar research and technology development. In recent years the country has launched several small satellites, partnered with the European Space Agency, and invested in a new space‑technology hub in Zagreb. Joining the Accords aligns those ambitions with a global roadmap, giving Croatian scientists and firms access to data, standards, and potential contracts tied to the lunar gateway and surface missions.

With the agreement now in place, Croatia can contribute to Artemis by providing ground‑segment services, participating in lunar science experiments, and offering its growing aerospace industry as a supplier for hardware and software. The U.S. government has said it will work with new signatories to integrate them into upcoming missions, including the 2026 Lunar Gateway deployment and the 2028 Artemis III crewed landing. For Croatia, the Accords open doors to training, technology transfer, and commercial opportunities that could boost its economy and raise its profile in the international space community. The next step is a formal memorandum of understanding between NASA and the CSA, expected later this year, which will outline specific projects and funding pathways.