# Artemis 2 Sends Four Astronauts Beyond Low Earth Orbit for First Time in 53 Years — Under a Legally Contested Framework - Date: 2026-04-06 - Category: Space & Aerospace Fifty-five nations have signed the Artemis Accords. Russia and China have not. As Artemis 2 orbits the Moon, the legal framework governing its activities has never been tested in any court or conflict — and the next crewed landing depends on it holding. ---