Liechtenstein is the latest nation to join the Artemis Accords, signing the agreement on December 20th. This brings the total number of signatories to over half of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) members. The signing ceremony, held at NASA Headquarters, was attended by Rainer Schnepfleitner, director of Liechtenstein’s Office for Communications; Georg Sparber, the country’s ambassador to the United States; and U.S. ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein Scott Miller.
“With its participation in the Artemis Accords, Liechtenstein looks forward to advancing space exploration among a strong group of like-minded countries committed to the peaceful use of space for the benefit of all humanity,” Ambassador Sparber stated.
NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy lauded Liechtenstein's addition, commenting, “Liechtenstein’s commitment strengthens our vision, where space is explored with peace, transparency and sustainability as guiding principles. With each new signatory, the Artemis Accords community adds fresh energy and capabilities to ensure the benefits of space reach the entire world.”
Liechtenstein, notable for its involvement with Rivada Space Networks’ broadband constellation plans, is the 52nd nation to sign the Accords and the 19th in 2023. While not a member of the European Union or the European Space Agency, its participation underscores the growing global support for the Accords' principles.
Mike Gold, chief growth officer of Redwire and a former NASA official instrumental in the Accords’ creation, highlighted the significance of reaching 52 signatories: “Achieving 52 signatories is a critical milestone since Artemis Accords signatories now represent a majority of the U.N. COPUOS. This transforms the American-led values of the Accords into a true global consensus on vital issues such as interoperability, due regard, transparency and, in particular, the utilization of space resources.”
Proponents argue the Accords provide a platform for faster progress on space sustainability than COPUOS, which functions on a consensus basis. Discussions within the Artemis Accords framework can then be integrated into COPUOS deliberations. Valda Vikmanis, director of the State Department’s Office of Space Affairs, emphasized the value of these discussions, stating, “These discussions are valuable in and of themselves… It’s an opportunity to share ideas, bounce ideas off one another, discuss challenges and opportunities… A large multilateral forum like COPUOS doesn’t afford that same sort of frankness and opportunity.”
Gold also noted the Accords' origins in the first Trump administration, with the initial eight countries signing in October 2020, expressing hope for continued progress under the current administration.