NASA Welcomes San Marino Signing The Artemis Accords

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San Marino became the 76th signatory to the Artemis Accords at a ceremony in Rimini on Sept. 25, 2026. The agreement sets out principles for peaceful, transparent and coordinated space exploration; NASA says signatories may take part in future lunar activities, but no specific San Marino mission or contribution was announced.

The Republic of San Marino became the 76th signatory to the Artemis Accords on Friday, Sept. 25, at a ceremony in Rimini attended by NASA and U.S. Department of State officials. The agreement sets out principles for peaceful, transparent and coordinated exploration of the Moon, Mars and beyond, and gives San Marino a place in a growing international framework for future space activity.

Minister of Industry and Technological Research Rossano Fabbri signed for San Marino. NASA Europe representative Gregory Mann and U.S. Consul General in Florence Joseph Tordella also participated in the ceremony, according to NASA’s announcement. The agency described San Marino as the 76th country to sign the accords.

NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson said signatory nations can participate in the agency’s return to the Moon through scientific payloads, technology demonstrations, CubeSats and other capabilities. He said San Marino is already looking toward that future. NASA did not identify a specific project, payload or timetable for San Marino in its announcement.

Fabbri said San Marino shares the accords’ principles and values and believes the signatories can contribute to international cooperation and the peaceful use of space. Those comments describe the government’s position; the announcement did not set out a new national space mission or funding commitment.

San Marino Joins Lunar Planning

San Marino’s signature expands the group of governments that have publicly committed to a common set of practices for space exploration. The accords address safety, transparency, assistance and coordination as governments and private companies pursue activities beyond Earth. Their principles give participating countries a shared framework for discussing conduct, even as individual missions remain subject to their own plans and capabilities.

For NASA, more signatories mean a wider pool of potential international partners as it prepares for lunar exploration. Anderson said the agency has invited all signatories to contribute through scientific payloads, demonstrations and other capabilities. That invitation indicates possible avenues for participation, but it does not confirm that every signatory will join a specific mission or that San Marino has accepted a particular role.

The announcement also carries diplomatic significance for a small European republic with no specific space project identified in the release. By signing, San Marino has formally associated itself with principles intended to guide international space activity. The practical effect will depend on future decisions by San Marino and its partners, including whether the country develops or joins a concrete research or technology effort.

A Framework Established in 2020

NASA and the U.S. Department of State established the Artemis Accords in 2020 with seven other founding nations. NASA said the initiative responded to growing interest in lunar activity by governments and private companies. It presented the accords as practical principles intended to improve safety and coordination as nations explore the Moon, Mars and beyond.

The principles include exploring peacefully and transparently, rendering aid to those in need, sharing scientific data, avoiding harmful interference with other activities, and developing practices to preserve historically significant sites and artifacts. Signing expresses support for these principles; the NASA announcement does not describe it as a specific mission agreement or provide operational details for San Marino.

The accords sit within a period of renewed international interest in lunar exploration. NASA’s announcement links signatory participation to the agency’s return to the Moon and its stated aim of establishing an enduring lunar presence. It also refers to a planned Moon Base. Those are NASA’s plans and framing; the signing ceremony itself announced no change to a mission schedule or new lunar project involving San Marino.

“We fully share the principles and values expressed in the Artemis Accords, and we are convinced that the signatory states united under the Accords will make a tangible contribution to promoting international cooperation in space and ensuring the use of space for peaceful purposes.”

— San Marino Minister of Industry and Technological Research Rossano Fabbri

San Marino’s Role Is Unspecified

No specific San Marino contribution has been announced. NASA listed possible forms of participation open to signatories, including payloads, technology demonstrations and CubeSats, but did not say which, if any, San Marino will pursue. The announcement also gave no cost, schedule, responsible agency or technical details for a future national contribution.

The release does not explain what steps San Marino will take to put the principles into practice, or whether any bilateral project with NASA is under discussion. It also does not detail how individual commitments will be assessed. The signing establishes San Marino as a signatory; it does not by itself confirm a funded mission, a specific scientific result or a place on a particular lunar flight.

Watch for Concrete Partnerships

The next developments to watch for are any public announcement by San Marino or NASA of a defined research, technology or mission partnership. NASA has said signatories are invited to participate in its return to the Moon, but its announcement set no deadline for San Marino to propose or select a contribution.

Further details would clarify whether the signature leads to a practical project and what role San Marino institutions might play. Until such plans are announced, the confirmed development is the country’s entry as the 76th signatory and its stated support for the accords’ principles.

Key Questions

What happened in Rimini?

San Marino signed the Artemis Accords during a ceremony in Rimini on Sept. 25, 2026. NASA and U.S. Department of State officials attended.

Who signed for San Marino?

Minister of Industry and Technological Research Rossano Fabbri signed on behalf of the Republic of San Marino.

What do the Artemis Accords set out?

They state principles for space exploration, including peaceful and transparent activity, assistance to people in need, sharing scientific data, avoiding interference and protecting historically significant sites and artifacts.

Will San Marino join a NASA lunar mission?

No specific mission role was announced. NASA said signatories are invited to participate through options such as scientific payloads, technology demonstrations and CubeSats.

Source: primary