Slovenia Joins NASA’s Artemis Pact on Sustainable Space Development

NASA has welcomed Slovenia to the Artemis Accords, with Slovenian State Secretary Matevz Frangez of the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport signing the multi-nation pact for sustainable space development on the country’s behalf on Friday.

Bill Nelson, NASA’s administrator, described the country’s entry into the Accords as a “new frontier” in the U.S. partnership with Slovenia, the 39th nation to have joined the space agreement. The country signed the pact during a strategic dialog with the United States at the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs offices in the state capital, Ljubljana, NASA said Friday.

During the signing, Frangez stressed Slovenia’s unity with the Accords’ goal of peaceful space use for the “common good of humanity.” Also present at the event were Rebecca Bresnik, U.S. associate general counsel for international and space law, and her husband, Randy Bresnik, a NASA astronaut of Slovenian ancestry. 

Jamie Harpootlian, U.S. ambassador to Slovenia, said the country is “a rising leader in space” with whom the United States looks forward to collaborate. In 2023, Slovenia adopted its first space strategy and applied for full membership in the European Space Agency, wherein it is currently an associate member.

Other European countries that recently signed the Accords include Greece, Bulgaria and Germany.