Chile has officially become the 47th signatory of the Artemis Accords, a framework for international cooperation in lunar and Martian exploration. The agreement was signed on October 26, 2024, by Aisén Etcheverry, Chile's Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation.
Minister Etcheverry emphasized the significance of this milestone for Chile, stating that it aligns with the government's commitment to advancing technological development as a key pillar of national strategy. She noted that the collaboration opens opportunities for Chile to engage in cutting-edge scientific and technological projects globally, particularly in fields such as astrobiology, geology, and mineralogy, which are crucial for space exploration and colonization.
The Artemis Accords were established by NASA and the U.S. Department of State in 2020, with initial signatories including Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. Since then, additional countries such as Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, France, Israel, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, and Spain have joined.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson celebrated Chile's participation, highlighting the shared values among signatories for space exploration. He remarked on the long history of astronomical studies conducted from Chile's Atacama Desert and expressed optimism about future collaborative efforts under the Artemis framework.
The Artemis Accords build upon the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, emphasizing principles such as peaceful exploration, transparency to prevent conflicts, and mutual assistance during emergencies. The Artemis program aims to return humans to the Moon, including sending the first woman by 2024.