Slovenia signed the Artemis Accords on Friday, marking the 39th nation to do so. NASA and Slovenia reaffirmed their contract to working together on future space projects. The signing, which took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Offices in Ljubljana, Slovenia, during a strategic discussion between the United States and Slovenia, confirmed Slovenia’s commitment to pursuing safe and sustainable space exploration for the benefit of humanity.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson declared that “Slovenia is a welcome addition to the Artemis Accords. Today, the United States and Slovenian alliance expands into new territory. We are in a golden age of space travel right now. Nations that conduct open, responsible, and peaceful space exploration will write that era.”
Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O’Brien witnessed the signing of the Accords, which were signed on behalf of Slovenia by State Secretary Matevž Frangež of the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism, and Sport. “Slovenia adopts the ideals, norms, and guidelines for the peaceful use of space for the benefit of all people,” stated Frangež.
Along with her husband, NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik, who is of Slovenian heritage, Rebecca Bresnik, Associate General Counsel for International and Space Law, represented NASA as the senior official attending the ceremony.
The American ambassador to Slovenia, Jamie Harpootlian, remarked, “We are thrilled to welcome Slovenia to the Artemis Accords family. Slovenia is acknowledged as a developing space leader. We are eager to expand our scientific, technological, and innovative partnerships with Slovenia.”
The Artemis Accords were founded in 2020 by the US and seven other nations to lay out principles for the peaceful exploration and utilization of space. The 1967 Outer Space Treaty’s major commitments are upheld and implemented via the Accords. Additionally, they bolster the United States’ and signatory countries’ adherence to the Rescue and Return Agreement, the Registration Convention, and best practices that NASA and its partners encourage, such as the open dissemination of scientific data.
