Slovenia Joins Artemis Accords, Aims for Space Sector Growth
In a significant step towards expanding its presence in the global space exploration community, Slovenia signed the Artemis Accords on April 19. The Central European nation becomes the 39th country to join the Accords, following in the footsteps of Switzerland and Sweden in a wave of European support for sustainable space exploration.
Matevž Frangež, state secretary of the ministry of the economy, tourism, and sport in Slovenia, signed the Accords during a ceremony in Ljubljana as part of the U.S. – Slovenia Strategic Dialogue. The Artemis Accords establish guidelines for responsible and transparent space exploration, emphasizing the preservation of space heritage and the promotion of international collaboration.
Having been an associate member of the European Space Agency since 2016, Slovenia is now actively pursuing full membership, with a formal petition expected to be submitted in 2023. The Slovenian government sees ESA membership as a key driver for economic growth and technological advancement in the country’s burgeoning space sector.
By signing the Artemis Accords, Slovenia aims to strengthen its cooperation with the United States in areas such as science, technology, and innovation. The country’s decision to join the Accords comes at a time when global interest in space exploration is on the rise, with three other nations – Belgium, Greece, and Uruguay – also signing the Accords this year.
With the support of ESA and its newfound partnership with the United States through the Artemis Accords, Slovenia is poised to accelerate the development of its space industry and contribute to the next chapter of international space exploration.
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