Policy and Law
Policy and law: the Artemis Accords, the Outer Space Treaty and resource rights, launch licensing, export controls and planetary protection rules.
China presents Chang'e-6 lunar regolith to UN in Vienna
A gift agreement was signed and the sample was unveiled for permanent display at the United Nations headquarters in Vienna.
Albania Signs Artemis Accords, Becoming 73rd Signatory
Albania has signed the Artemis Accords at NASA headquarters, becoming the 73rd country to join the framework for peaceful lunar exploration.
Vietnam becomes 78th Artemis Accords signatory
Uzbekistan Joins Artemis Accords as 77th Signatory
Uzbekistan has joined the Artemis Accords as the 77th signatory, while its space program develops and NASA pursues a Moon Base.
Croatia signs Artemis Accords as 74th signatory
San Marino becomes 76th Artemis Accords signatory
Côte d’Ivoire becomes 75th Artemis Accords signatory
The Abidjan ceremony during Africa Space Expo ASPEX 2026 made Côte d’Ivoire the 75th Artemis Accords signatory, a step described as the largest milestone yet.
China's stated outer-space governance positions
NASA Science Changes Competition and Selection
Competition Model 2.0 is a new competition model, with streamlined mission selection and science-focused proposals.
Reid Wiseman named deputy director of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory
The Artemis II commander is named to a deputy director role at JPL, with duties including laboratory operations and Caltech coordination.
Italy highlights space deals and lunar habitat accord talks
At the first International Space Summit and around related meetings, Italian officials and companies reported new partnerships, an AI operations agreement, an optical links MoU, and an imminent signing tied to a lunar pressurized habitat module.
UK Space Agency announces ESERO-UK grant competition
Djibouti Signs Artemis Accords as 72nd Nation
Djibouti becomes 72nd Artemis Accords signatory
Astroscale UK wins 15,000,000 GBP MoD contract for LEDA
Astroscale UK has won a UK Ministry of Defence contract for Project LEDA, a multi-year programme examining how spacecraft might counter RPO threats.
Cospito presents 2026 omnibus resolution at UNGA Fourth Committee
UK Space Agency commissioned NSIP Pilot and ETP evaluations, 2025 and 2030
UK Space Agency invites applications for Unlocking Space for Business
The UK Space Agency is inviting end-user-led consortia to apply to a challenge-led competition focused on space-enabled data and services.