Ireland Joins Artemis Accords as 66th Signatory — 24th ESA Member Nation

Ireland signed the Artemis Accords on May 4, 2026, becoming the 66th nation to join the international framework for peaceful and cooperative space exploration — and the 24th European Space Agency member state to sign. Minister Peter Burke signed on behalf of the Republic of Ireland in a formal ceremony, welcomed by the United States Department of State. The signing follows Malta's accession as the 65th signatory earlier in the week and Morocco's April 29 signing as the 64th — bringing the total to 66 nations joining in the wake of the successful Artemis II crewed lunar flyby (April 1–10, 2026). Ireland's accession to the Accords strengthens the European pillar of the Artemis partnership and demonstrates the growing international consensus around the framework's principles of transparency, interoperability, peaceful use of outer space, and responsible behavior. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, who had applauded Morocco's signing the previous week, welcomed Ireland's participation as further evidence that Artemis II's success is accelerating international buy-in to the U.S.-led lunar exploration program.