RIGA, Latvia – In a significant move for its burgeoning space sector, Latvia has officially joined the Artemis Accords, an international agreement for the peaceful and sustainable exploration of space. This step solidifies Latvia’s commitment to international cooperation in space and opens new avenues for its scientists, students, and businesses to participate in the global space economy.
The Artemis Accords, initiated by the United States government and NASA in 2020, establish a framework for cooperation in the Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and eventually embark on missions to Mars. Latvia becomes one of now 60 signatories, joining major spacefaring nations including European Union member states, Japan, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
“Latvia’s accession to the Artemis Accords is a significant step towards our more active participation in the global space community,” stated Minister for Education and Science, Dace Melbārde. “We are proud to become part of a group of nations committed to exploring and using space responsibly and sustainably. This initiative will open up new opportunities for our researchers and companies, as well as inspiring young people — the engineers, scientists, and perhaps even astronauts of the future.”
This development follows a series of strategic moves by Latvia to strengthen its position in the international space arena. Earlier this year, the nation acceded to the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, the foundational legal framework for space activities. In 2024, Latvia also became a member of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).
These commitments come at a time when the rapidly growing space economy faces challenges due to a lack of comprehensive regulatory frameworks. To address this, Latvia is collaborating with the Centre for Space Governance to explore the development of national space legislation. According to Gustavs Zilgalvis, director of the Centre, such governance is crucial as the decreasing cost of space launches leads to a sharp increase in activity and a corresponding rise in space debris, which poses a threat to satellites and space stations.
Latvia’s increased involvement in the space sector is also demonstrated through its associate membership in the European Space Agency (ESA) since 2020. This partnership has already resulted in over 100 successfully implemented projects, with a Latvian investment of at least €23 million in ESA programs. These projects are fostering innovation and integrating Latvian industry into global space technology supply chains. By joining the Artemis Accords, Latvia is poised to further accelerate its contributions to and benefits from the final frontier.