Uzbekistan Joins Artemis Accords to Expand Space Cooperation
Uzbekistan became the 77th signatory of the Artemis Accords in Samarkand to advance its space program and cooperate with NASA on lunar exploration.
The Government of Uzbekistan became the 77th signatory of the Artemis Accords during a ceremony in Samarkand. Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov signed the agreement during a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, committing the nation to principles of safe, transparent, and responsible civil space exploration of the Moon and Mars.
This accession follows preliminary discussions between NASA and Uzbekistan's Ministry of Digital Technologies and Uzcosmos at the 2026 International Astronautical Congress in Türkiye. By joining the framework, Uzbekistan intends to facilitate the transfer of space technologies and the training of specialists to support its national goal of launching its first CubeSat by 2028.
NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson welcomed the addition to the coalition, noting that the expansion occurs as President Trump has directed the agency to establish a Moon Base and an enduring lunar presence. The Artemis Accords, established in 2020, promote the sharing of scientific data and emergency assistance to support the broader mission of returning astronauts to the Moon and preparing for future Mars missions.
