Portugal Becomes 60th Signatory to the Artemis Accords

Overview

• Helena Canhão signed the accords on January 11, with a January 12 ceremony in Lisbon attended by U.S. Ambassador John J. Arrigo and Deputy Assistant Secretary Dan Lawton during the U.S.–Portugal Standing Bilateral Commission.
• The State Department welcomed Portugal’s decision as an extension of a close partnership into outer space and noted Portugal’s role as a committed NATO ally.
• Portuguese Space Agency executive Hugo Costa said Portugal will contribute to sustainable and peaceful space activity, while officials expressed expectations for a human return to the Moon in 2026.
• Launched in 2020 by the United States and seven partners, the accords establish practical norms for civil exploration, including transparency, rendering aid, open scientific data, non-interference, and protection of historic sites.
• Portugal is the first new signatory of 2026, bringing the total to 60 countries, with NASA indicating additional nations are likely to join in the months and years ahead.