NASA has successfully signed nearly 25% of the world's nations to the Artemis Accords, which encourage peaceful exploration of deep space.

Since January 2023, the number of signatories has rapidly increased, with 12 nations, including Estonia, joining during the International Astronautical Congress in Milan.

The growth of the private space sector has also heightened global interest in space and underscored the need for international regulations.

Experts believe that international collaboration is crucial for NASA's ambitious plans for lunar and Mars exploration.

Following the successful uncrewed Artemis 1 mission, NASA is now preparing to land humans on the moon in 2026, marking the first such mission since 1972.

The Artemis Accords were established to foster global cooperation and promote values of peace, rule of law, and sustainable exploration in space.

This recent surge in signatories reflects NASA's diplomatic efforts and the growing urgency for collaborative space exploration.

NASA's diplomatic initiatives have attracted interest from smaller nations that were previously uninvolved in space activities.

Countries are increasingly recognizing the importance of satellite data for various applications, driving their interest in joining the Artemis Accords.

The Artemis program aims to land a diverse crew on the moon, including the first woman and the first person of color.

However, concerns have been raised by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson regarding China's military ambitions, which he believes are disguised behind its civilian space program.

Notably, China and Russia are absent from the Artemis Accords, as they collaborate on a proposed lunar research station set for 2035.