The Republic of Croatia became the 74th signatory to the Artemis Accords on Wednesday at a ceremony in Zagreb with NASA and U.S. State Department officials present.
The Artemis Accords, established in 2020 by NASA and seven other founding nations, comprise a set of practical principles for how nations conduct exploration on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Signatory nations commit to exploring peaceably and transparently, rendering aid to those in need, enabling access to scientific data, ensuring activities do not interfere with those of others, and preserving historically significant sites and artifacts.
Croatia's Minister of Science, Education, and Youth Radovan Fuchs signed on behalf of the country. U.S. Ambassador to Croatia Nicole McGraw and Gregory Mann, NASA Europe representative, attended the event.
The signing reflects Croatia's growing involvement in space activities. The country successfully launched its first satellite, CroCube, on December 21, 2024, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. "Croatian scientists and companies are demonstrating growing interest in the space industry," Fuchs said. "This international agreement has been recognized as a key opportunity for the robust development of Croatia's scientific community, the introduction of new technologies, and the strengthening of the economy."