In becoming the first country to sign the Artemis Accords in 2022, Israel affirmed its commitment to a common set of principles to guide cooperation among nations participating in 21st century space exploration.
“Israel already has demonstrated its commitment to Artemis with the contribution of the AstroRad radiation protection vest on Artemis I, scheduled to launch this spring,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “Today’s signing of the Artemis Accords will only serve to strengthen the long-standing U.S.-Israeli relationship in the area of space exploration and I look forward to many more years of working together to achieve our common goals for the benefit all of humanity.”
Israel Space Agency Director General Uri Oron signed the document during a ceremony Jan. 26 in Tel Aviv. Ambassador of Israel to the United States Michael Herzog, Deputy Chief of Mission for the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem Jonathan Shrier, Israeli Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology Orit Farkash Hacohen, and Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Monica P. Medina participated in the event remotely, along with Nelson and NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy.
“Today, space once again unveils its enormous potential and endless opportunities for Israel and for the entire world in the fields of innovation, technology, and diplomacy,” said Oron. “I am convinced that the Artemis program will promote humanity a step further, not only in space but also here on Earth. The Israel Space Agency will continue to promote collaborations in research, science, innovation and economy within the framework of the Artemis Accords between Israeli organizations and our international partners.”
Israel joins more than a dozen countries that have signed the Artemis Accords, which will guide space exploration cooperation among nations participating in NASA’s 21st century lunar exploration plans.
“I congratulate the director of the Israel Space Agency on signing the Artemis Accords as Israel joins the most ambitious, complex, and expansive space program in the world,” said Farkash Hacohen. “The signing of the Accords is another building block in our relationship with the United States, our greatest friend in the world.”
NASA, in coordination with the U.S. Department of State, announced the establishment of the Artemis Accords in 2020. The Artemis Accords reinforce and implement the 1967 Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, otherwise known as the Outer Space Treaty. They also reinforce the commitment by the United States and partner nations to the Registration Convention, the Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, and other norms of behavior that NASA and its partners have supported, including the public release of scientific data.
“This signing ceremony, taking place following the Ilan Ramon International Space Conference, also celebrates the life and continued legacy of the first Israeli astronaut in space,” said Medina. “I am truly proud of our decades long history of collaboration in space. Today – together with our fellow Artemis Accords signatories – we reaffirm our shared commitment to the exploration and research of space for the betterment of mankind and for peaceful use.”
Additional countries will join the Artemis Accords in the months and years ahead, as NASA continues to work with its international partners to establish a safe, peaceful, and prosperous future in space. Working with both new and existing partners will add new energy and capabilities to ensure the entire world can benefit from our journey of exploration and discovery.
Learn more about the Artemis Accords at: https://www.nasa.gov/artemis-accords
