# NASA Artemis program international partnership strategy > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/nasa-artemis-program-international-partnership-strategy > Updated: 2026-09-23T08:12:00.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has announced a strategic shift in the Artemis lunar program, moving toward bilateral partnerships that prioritize mission timelines and economic contributions over broad symbolic cooperation. Under this new approach, NASA is seeking direct deals with specific nations to secure essential technology and funding. Italy is cited as a primary model for this strategy; through a Statement of Intent, Italy has committed over $5 billion toward the development of a Multi-Purpose Habitation Module (MPH) designed for long-term lunar surface habitation near the Moon’s south pole. In exchange for this contribution, two Italian astronauts will walk on the lunar surface. Japan is similarly pursuing this model by financing a pressurized rover to secure two crew positions. Isaacman indicated that this shift is driven by the urgency of competition at the lunar south pole, noting that China and Russia are targeting similar sites. The administrator suggested that the agency will no longer aim to include as many international flags as possible to avoid delays, implying that traditional roles within the European Space Agency may change if partners cannot meet these specific strategic and economic requirements. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-23: NASA shifts lunar strategy toward strategic bilateral partnerships NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced a shift toward bilateral “good deals” for the Artemis program, prioritizing strategic partners like Italy and Japan over broad symbolic international cooperation. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-shifts-lunar-strategy-toward-strategic-bilateral-partnerships ### 2026-09-23: NASA Administrator announces two Italian astronauts will walk on the Moon NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced that two Italian astronauts will walk on the Moon, tied to Italy's development of the Multi-Purpose Habitation Module for the Artemis program. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-administrator-announces-two-italian-astronauts-will-walk-on-the-moon --- Cite as: NASA Artemis program international partnership strategy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/nasa-artemis-program-international-partnership-strategy