Lithuania, NASA sign space exploration pact

VILNIUS - Lithuania has signed the Artemis Accords initiated by the US State Department and NASA, which establishes practical principles for safe and sustainable space exploration.

Lithuania became the 40th signatory, the Economy and Innovation Ministry said on Wednesday. 

"The country's space sector is growing and our innovative space companies are developing globally competitive solutions. By signing the Artemis Accords, we are entering a new phase and commit to the principles of responsibility, security and sustainability in the space sector," Minister Ausrine Armonaite said in a statement.

Lithuania committed to ensure that planned space missions, including the extraction and use of space resources, including any extraction from the Moon, Mars, comets or asteroids, will be carried out in accordance with the Outer Space Treaty and in support of safe and sustainable space activities.

The agreement also sets out principles for the reduction of space debris and other principles for space missions. The signatories also agree to cooperate and consult.

In 2021, Lithuania became an associate member of the European Space Agency (ESA).