The Artemis Accords are the rulebook for humanity’s return to the Moon. Here is what they are and why they matter.

The United States launched the accords in 2020 with seven partner nations. They set practical principles for exploring the Moon, Mars and beyond.

Signatories pledge to explore peacefully and transparently. They promise to share scientific data, help astronauts in distress, and avoid interfering with each other’s missions. They also agree to protect historic landing sites.

The accords are not a treaty and carry no legal penalties. They are a voluntary code of conduct for the new space age.

The club has grown fast. It now has 76 signatories, about 40 percent of the world’s countries. Albania, Croatia, Cote d’Ivoire and San Marino joined last week.

This week’s meeting in Turkiye will discuss two practical issues: supporting new space nations, and rules to limit debris on the Moon.

NASA has invited every signatory to join its Moon return through science payloads, technology demos and small satellites.