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HR 8321

Artemis Accords Authorization Act

119th Congress Introduced by Anna Luna and 1 co-sponsor

Promotes peaceful space exploration and expands Artemis Accords participation, strengthening U.S. leadership, norms, and coordination across agencies and partners.

Introduced in House
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Bill Summary · HR 8321

Summary of HR 8321 — Artemis Accords Authorization Act (112th Congress; 119th Session)

Note: This summary reflects the text and provisions as introduced on April 16, 2026, by Rep. Moskowitz (with Rep. Luna as co-sponsor). The bill aims to promote peaceful space exploration, expand participation in the Artemis Accords, and strengthen U.S. leadership in civil space, national security, and economic competitiveness.

1) Purpose and Intent

  • Establish the Artemis Accords Authorization Act to promote peaceful space exploration, expand participation in the Artemis Accords, and advance U.S. national security and economic competitiveness through leadership in space.
  • Reinforce adherence to foundational space law (Outer Space Treaty, Registration Convention, Rescue and Return Agreement) while promoting norms for safe, sustainable civil space activities.
  • Counter efforts by strategic competitors to shape space governance in ways inconsistent with democratic values, transparency, and the rule of law.
  • Seek to strengthen U.S. leadership in international space cooperation and civilian space activities, with emphasis on international collaboration and participation in the Artemis program.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

  • Section 3 — Statement of Policy

    • U.S. policy to promote peaceful use of outer space (Moon, other celestial bodies) in line with international law.
    • Promote international cooperation through the Artemis Accords as a framework for transparency, compatibility, and responsible space behavior.
    • Maintain U.S. leadership in civil space exploration, science, and commercial space development.
    • Develop norms and standards for safety, sustainability, and long-term viability of space activities.
    • Expand Artemis Accords participation among allies and partners, especially in strategically significant regions.
    • Counter competitors’ efforts to influence space governance contrary to democratic values, transparency, and the rule of law.
    • Advance national security, economic competitiveness, and diplomacy through sustained space leadership.

  • Section 4 — Special Coordinator for the Artemis Accords

    • The Secretary of State may establish and manage Artemis Accords activities.
    • Establish a Special Coordinator for the Artemis Accords, reporting to the Assistant Secretary for Oceans, International Environmental and Scientific Affairs.
    • Duties of the Special Coordinator:
    • Lead diplomatic efforts to expand participation in the Artemis Accords.
    • Coordinate U.S. engagement with foreign governments, international organizations, and commercial partners regarding civil space cooperation.
    • Support development of international norms governing lunar activities, space resource extraction, and space traffic management.
    • Coordinate with U.S. agencies (NASA, Department of Commerce, DoD, Office of Space Commerce) on Artemis activities.
    • Engage U.S. industry stakeholders to advance public-private partnerships for Artemis.
    • Advise on strategies to ensure U.S. space leadership aligns with foreign policy and national security objectives.

  • Section 5 — Reporting Requirement

    • Within 180 days of enactment and annually for four years, the Secretary of State (in coordination with NASA Administrator) must report to Congress (House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations) with:
    • List of Artemis Accords signatories and new signatories during the period.
    • Description of U.S. diplomatic efforts to expand participation.
    • Assessment of participating countries’ compliance with Artemis Accord principles.
    • Description of ongoing/planned cooperative activities related to lunar exploration and other space missions.
    • Evaluation of the role of U.S. commercial entities in Artemis-related partnerships.
    • Assessment of challenges to international space cooperation (geopolitical competition, regulatory barriers, tech compatibility).
    • Analysis of China and Russia’s efforts to influence global space governance and implications for U.S. interests.
    • Recommendations to strengthen U.S. leadership in international space cooperation.
    • Reports shall be unclassified, with a possible classified annex.

  • Section 6 — Strategy (Low-Earth Orbit emphasis)

    • Sense of Congress: Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technology is crucial for U.S. leadership in the 21st century, has potential to enable anti-censorship and free-speech connectivity, and could help connect hundreds of millions to the internet.
    • Requires a strategy (within 180 days of enactment) for integrating LEO satellite technology and high-altitude platforms into U.S. foreign policy, developed by the Secretary of State in coordination with other agencies (including U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and U.S. Trade and Development Agency).
    • Elements of the strategy:
    • Use feasibility studies to promote LEO connectivity.
    • Provide financial products (loans, guarantees, insurance) to help countries procure LEO technologies.
    • Directly provide LEO technologies to countries when aligned with U.S. interests.
    • Regulate export of controlled LEO technologies to preserve U.S. leadership and prevent misuse.
    • Consider restrictions on competitors’ alternatives to U.S. LEO technologies.
    • The strategy shall be submitted in unclassified form, with a classified annex if needed.

3) Who/What Is Affected

  • U.S. Department of State (central coordinating body) and the Special Coordinator for Artemis Accords.
  • NASA (for coordination and reporting).
  • Other federal agencies: Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, Office of Space Commerce (for cross-agency coordination).
  • International partners and signatories to the Artemis Accords, and potential new signatories.
  • U.S. industry stakeholders and commercial space entities involved or interested in Artemis-related partnerships.
  • Strategic competitors (notably China and Russia) through policy and reporting on their activities and influence.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction and referral: April 16, 2026; referred to House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
  • Reporting timeline:
    • Initial report due within 180 days after enactment.
    • Annual reports for four years thereafter.
  • Strategy timeline:
    • A comprehensive strategy addressing LEO connectivity and policy integration to be submitted within 180 days after enactment.
  • Structure: Requires unclassified reports with optional classified annex; establishes a formal role (Special Coordinator) within the State Department for Artemis-related diplomacy and coordination.

Potential Impacts

  • Strengthens U.S. diplomatic leadership and formalizes a dedicated, cross-agency effort to expand Artemis Accords participation.
  • Elevates norms, governance discussions, and safety standards for civil space activities, including lunar operations and space resource activities.
  • Broadens U.S. levers to promote LEO connectivity, including financial instruments and potential direct technology transfers, subject to policy constraints.
  • Improves visibility into international cooperation and challenges, with formal Congressional oversight through regular reporting.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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