Sultanate of Oman Becomes 61st Signatory of Artemis Accords

Muscat, Oman, January 28, 2026 – The vision for a safe, transparent, and cooperative future in space just gained another significant ally.

The Sultanate of Oman officially signed the Artemis Accords, becoming the 61st nation to commit to responsible space exploration for the benefit of all humanity.

It’s a powerful endorsement of a growing international framework for lunar activities and beyond, solidifying a global consensus on how humanity should conduct itself in the cosmos.

The signing ceremony in Muscat, attended by NASA, marked a pivotal moment. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, in recorded remarks, highlighted Oman’s accession as setting “an important example about the value of responsible behavior and shared pursuit of discovery.”

He emphasized that Oman joins the U.S. and other partners in “ensuring the peaceful exploration of space for generations to come.” With humanity preparing to return to the Moon and lay the groundwork for future missions, a “community of like-minded nations” is seen as the foundation of success.

U.S. Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman Ana Escrogima and NASA’s Deputy Associate Administrator Casey Swails participated in the event, held on the opening day of the Middle East Space Conference.

Said al-Maawali, Oman’s minister of transportation, communication, and information technology, signed on behalf of the country.

This regional conference served as an ideal platform to underscore the growing interest and investment in space and innovation across the Middle East.

The Artemis Accords were initially established in 2020 during the first Trump Administration, and were led by NASA and the U.S. Department of State.

They emerged in response to the burgeoning interest in lunar activities from both governments and private companies, aiming to introduce a foundational set of practical principles.

These principles are designed to enhance the safety, transparency, and coordination of civil space exploration not just on the Moon, but also on Mars and beyond.

Signing the Artemis Accords means committing to:

• Explore peaceably and transparently.
• Render aid to those in need.
• Enable access to scientific data that all of humanity can learn from.
• Ensure activities do not interfere with those of others.
• Preserve historically significant sites and artifacts.
• Develop best practices for conducting space exploration activities for the benefit of all.

These tenets form a crucial ethical and operational framework for an increasingly crowded and ambitious space frontier.

With more countries expected to sign in the months and years ahead, NASA continues its work to establish a safe, peaceful, and prosperous future in space.

Oman’s inclusion significantly strengthens this international coalition, demonstrating a growing global commitment to a shared vision for humanity’s journey beyond Earth.