Uruguay inked its commitment to the Artemis Accords on February 15, becoming the latest participant in the global endeavor for responsible space exploration. The ceremony, held at NASA Headquarters, saw Omar Paganini, Uruguay's foreign minister, formally endorse the Accords, stating, “We are honored to have the opportunity to introduce space cooperation as a new chapter in the robust bilateral agenda between Uruguay and the U.S.” Officials from both the United States and Uruguay, including NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, were present to witness the historic event.
Despite Uruguay's nascent space program, plans were announced last year to establish a national space agency. Notably, the country hosts Satellogic's headquarters, a firm specializing in Earth observation satellites. However, the company disclosed its intention to redomicile to the United States to pursue government contracts effectively.
The signing, occurring amid bilateral ministerial discussions, saw the U.S. State Department express its support for Uruguay's exploration of civilian and commercial space industries. The Artemis Accords, introduced in 2020, serve as a guideline for responsible space activities, building upon existing international agreements. Uruguay's accession as the 36th signatory underscores the Accords' inclusivity, encompassing nations at various stages of space development.
Bill Nelson, NASA Administrator, underscored the shared commitment between the two nations, stating, “The United States and Uruguay share a commitment to democracy and peace, and now, we expand these principles in the cosmos to commit to the safe and transparent exploration of space.” The Accords aim to ensure safe and transparent practices in activities such as space object registration and resource utilization.
Photo: NASA/Keegan Barber