Global Space Policy Shifts as 60 Nations Join Artemis Accords and US Passes New Laws

The past year saw major shifts in global space policy, with new laws, international agreements, and strategic moves by leading nations. Over 60 countries have now joined the Artemis Accords, while the US introduced multiple space-related bills to strengthen its position in orbit and beyond. Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions pushed governments to protect their Earth observation systems.

The Artemis Accords expanded significantly, gaining signatures from nearly 60 nations across all continents except Antarctica. This growth reflects broader international cooperation in space exploration, even as competition intensifies.

In the US, Congress saw a flurry of legislative activity. The **Secure Space Act of 2025** cleared the House, with a matching Senate bill introduced soon after. The **ASTRO Act** also advanced, passing in the Senate and the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. Other proposals, like the **ASCEND Act**, **Celestial Time Standardization Act**, **ACERO Act**, **Unearth America's Future Act**, and **Quad Space Act**, were put forward, though details on some—including the **Space Infrastructure Act**—remained unclear. A bipartisan group of lawmakers formed a caucus to push for stronger US leadership in space. Their focus included closer ties between commercial space firms and government agencies. At the same time, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) highlighted hurdles in the **In-Space Manufacturing (ISAM)** sector, calling for better coordination and investment. The war in Ukraine had a direct impact on space policy, too. Nations rushed to secure their Earth observation satellites, fearing disruptions to critical monitoring systems. Meanwhile, China advanced its **'Space Silk Road'**, rolling out 80 international infrastructure projects to expand its influence. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's confirmation late in the year marked a key moment, reinforcing the agency's direction amid these rapid changes.

The past 12 months set the stage for a more competitive and collaborative space environment. New laws in the US, China's expanding initiatives, and the growing Artemis Accords membership all point to a busier, higher-stakes era in orbit. Governments and private firms will now face the challenge of turning these policies into action.