The Republic of San Marino, a country roughly the size of a large parking lot, became the 76th signatory to the Artemis Accords on Friday during a ceremony in Rimini, with NASA and U.S. Department of State officials present to witness the tiny nation's giant leap into lunar diplomacy.

"San Marino joins a growing coalition of like-minded nations committed to the peaceful, transparent, and responsible exploration of space," said NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson, presumably with a straight face. "President Trump has directed NASA to build a Moon Base and establish an enduring presence on the lunar surface. As we do, we are putting the principles of the Accords into practice. NASA has invited every Artemis Accords signatory to participate in our return to the Moon through scientific payloads, technology demonstrations, CubeSats, and other capabilities. San Marino is already looking toward that future."

Minister of Industry and Technological Research Rossano Fabbri signed on behalf of San Marino, because someone had to. Gregory Mann, NASA Europe representative, participated in the ceremony alongside U.S. Consul General in Florence Joseph Tordella.

"We are pleased and honored that the Republic of San Marino has been welcomed as the 76th signatory state of the Artemis Accords," Fabbri said. "We fully share the principles and values expressed in the Artemis Accords, and we are convinced that the signatory states united under the Accords will make a tangible contribution to promoting international cooperation in space and ensuring the use of space for peaceful purposes."

In 2020, NASA and the State Department joined with seven other founding nations to establish the Artemis Accords, responding to growing interest in lunar activities from both governments and private companies. They introduced the first set of practical principles aimed at enhancing safety and coordination between nations as they explore the Moon, Mars, and beyond - because nothing says "peaceful exploration" like a legally binding framework.

By signing the Artemis Accords, nations open the door to opportunities for future lunar exploration with NASA, advancing humanity's return to the Moon, and shaping the Golden Age of exploration and innovation. San Marino, for its part, now has a seat at the table - even if it needs a telescope to see the Moon from its own backyard.