{
  "id": 15758427,
  "title": "NASA Welcomes Uzbekistan as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/nasa-welcomes-uzbekistan-as-newest-artemis-accords-signatory",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-20T14:21:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "NASA",
    "slug": "nasa",
    "url": "https://www.nasa.gov/organizations/oiir/artemis-accords/nasa-welcomes-uzbekistan-as-newest-artemis-accords-signatory/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Republic of Uzbekistan officially joined the Artemis Accords on Monday, becoming the 77th nation to sign the agreement, according to NASA. The ceremony took place in Samarkand, and NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson expressed his excitement about Uzbekistan's addition to the coalition. Anderson noted that President Trump had directed NASA to build a Moon Base and establish an enduring presence on the lunar surface, and Uzbekistan's commitment to the Artemis Accords would expand opportunities for participating countries. Uzbekistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bakhtiyor Saidov, signed the accords on behalf of the country. The signing ceremony coincided with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit and highlighted Uzbekistan's growing engagement with NASA and the international space community. Uzbekistan is developing a national space program, and students are working on a CubeSat project to be launched by 2028. NASA and Uzbekistan's space agency, Uzcosmos, discussed cooperation at the 2026 International Astronautical Congress. Uzbekistan plans to host the annual global space event in 2028. The Artemis Accords, established in 2020, aim to promote safe, transparent, and responsible civil space exploration among nations. NASA and the State Department, along with seven other founding nations, created the accords to enhance safety and coordination in lunar and Martian exploration, as well as to ensure the sharing of scientific data and preservation of historical sites. More countries are anticipated to join the Artemis Accords as NASA continues its mission to establish a safe, peaceful, and prosperous future in space.",
  "summary": "The Republic of Uzbekistan became the 77th signatory of the Artemis Accords during a ceremony in Samarkand on Monday, committing to the practical principles that guide safe, transparent, and responsible civil space exploration. “Uzbekistan joins the Artemis Accords at a pivotal moment,” said NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson. “President Trump has directed NASA to build […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}