SCIENCE · VERIFIED DEVELOPMENT
Croatia Joins Artemis Accords, Expanding Lunar Collaboration
WHY IT MATTERS
Croatia’s accession broadens the international partnership pool for lunar exploration, enabling shared resources and expertise that accelerate scientific discovery and economic growth in the emerging space sector.
What happened
On September 23, 2026, Croatia became the 74th nation to sign the Artemis Accords during a ceremony in Zagreb attended by NASA Deputy Matt Anderson, U. S. Ambassador Nicole McGraw, and Croatian Minister of Science Radovan Fuchs.
The Accords, established in 2020, set principles for peaceful lunar exploration, data sharing, and preservation of historic sites. Croatia’s entry follows its successful launch of the CroCube satellite in December 2024, which reached orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9.
Minister Fuchs said the agreement would boost Croatia’s scientific community, introduce new technologies, and strengthen the economy. The signatory status opens opportunities for joint lunar missions with NASA and expands Croatia’s role in the growing international space industry.
PRIMARY SOURCES
NASA Welcomes Croatia as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory
NASA · Elizabeth Shaw · NASA media usage guidelines; third-party material excluded