Full Breakdown
Jordan Becomes 63rd Signatory of NASA’s Artemis Accords
4/25/2026, 6:30:32 AM
Core Event: Signing at NASA Headquarters
On April 23 2026, at NASA’s Mary W. Jackson Headquarters in Washington, D.C., Ambassador Dina Kawar of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan signed the Artemis Accords. The ceremony, attended by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and U.S. State Department Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, marked Jordan as the 63rd nation to join the framework.
Background & Context: The Artemis Accords
The Artemis Accords were launched in 2020 by the United States and seven founding nations to codify practical principles for peaceful, transparent, and sustainable exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Building on the Outer Space Treaty, the accords address safety, de-confliction, scientific data sharing, aid provision, and preservation of historic space sites.
Key Figures & Groups
- Dina Kawar – Jordan’s ambassador to the United States, signatory for Jordan.
- Jared Isaacman – NASA Administrator, host of the ceremony.
- Ruth Perry (named in NASA releases) / Ruth Berry (named in Jordanian releases) – Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, U.S. State Department.
- Crown Prince Al Hussein – Oversees the National Council for Future Technologies, steering Jordan’s space strategy.
- Jordan Space Research Initiative – Operates the analog research facility in Wadi Rum.
Data & Statistics
Jordan launched the student-built JY1 CubeSat in 2018 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9, marking its first orbital mission. The Jordan Space Research Initiative conducted analog missions PETRA 1 (2024) and PETRA 2 (2025) in the Mars-like terrain of Wadi Rum. The nation “has more engineers per capita than almost any country in the world,” positioning it among the highest-engineer-density societies globally.
Why It Matters / Impact
Jordan’s accession expands the pool of nations contributing to NASA’s Artemis lunar-base program, creating opportunities for the country to develop and contribute payloads, instruments, and science to lunar missions. The move aligns with Jordan’s ambition, articulated by its leadership, to become a regional and global hub for artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and space technology.
Official Statements & Responses
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman welcomed Jordan, noting that its perspective and capabilities will help expand a “Golden Age of exploration.” Ambassador Kawar emphasized Jordan’s engineering talent and the nation’s drive to transform into a technology hub. The State Department official described the signing as the beginning of broader Accords expansion.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
NASA releases identify the State Department participant as Ruth Perry, whereas Jordanian sources list Ruth Berry, creating a naming discrepancy. Neither the ambassador nor U.S. officials detailed specific Jordanian contributions to Artemis, leaving the nature of future payloads and mission roles unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It is my privilege to welcome Jordan as the newest signatory to the Artemis Accords,” — Jared Isaacman, NASA Administrator
- “Jordan has more engineers per capita than almost any country in the world,” — Dina Kawar, Ambassador of Jordan to the United States
- “This is a wonderful day for us, and the start of wonderful cooperation.” — Dina Kawar, Ambassador of Jordan to the United States
- “Space exploration represents the ultimate expression of optimism for the future,” — Mike Gold, President, Redwire Space
What’s Next
NASA plans its first analog mission in Wadi Rum for November 2026 under the Accords framework. Jordan may develop and contribute payloads to future lunar missions, as NASA has highlighted opportunities for signatories, while the agency continues to solicit additional signatories to broaden international participation in Artemis.
