Artemis Accords: What to Know About NASA’s 51-Nation Strong Space Agreement

The Artemis Accords got its 51st signatory this week, with Thailand joining the international agreement on Dec. 16.
Created in 2020, the accords are tied to NASA’s Artemis Program and are, according to the administration, intended to “establish a political understanding regarding mutually beneficial practices for the future exploration and use of outer space, with a focus on activities conducted in support of the Artemis Program.”
As NASA and its partners get another year closer to sending their astronauts to the Moon, here are some things to know about this growing international agreement.
Out of the 51 nations to sign the accords, the United States is the only one with the operating capability to send human beings beyond the atmosphere….