NASA Welcomes Albania as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory

The Republic of Albania joined NASA on Monday, September 21, 2026, as the 73rd signatory of the Artemis Accords, a coalition of nations committed to responsible and transparent space exploration. NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson welcomed Albania, noting the long-standing relationship between the two nations that dates back over a century.

Albania's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, signed the accord on behalf of the country, emphasizing Albania's commitment to peaceful, transparent, sustainable, and cooperative space exploration. The announcement follows Albania's recent launch of two Earth-observation satellites, Albania-1 and Albania-2, in January 2023.

Albania has also participated in NASA's Space Apps Challenge, a global hackathon that brings together students, technologists, and innovators to develop solutions using NASA's open data. In 2020, NASA, the State Department, and seven other nations established the Artemis Accords to address growing interest in lunar activities and to establish practical principles for safe and coordinated exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

By signing the Artemis Accords, nations gain access to opportunities for future lunar exploration with NASA, contributing to the Golden Age of space exploration and innovation. For more information about the Artemis Accords, visit the official NASA website.