NASA Invites ISRO To Join Moon Base Mission
BENGALURU-India and the United States have discussed expanding cooperation in human spaceflight, scientific research, lunar exploration and commercial space activities, with NASA inviting the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to participate in its Moon Base programme during high-level bilateral talks held in Bengaluru earlier this month, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said on August 11.
The two-day meeting was held at ISRO headquarters in Bengaluru on August 5 and 6, bringing together officials from ISRO, NASA and the US State Department to review ongoing projects and identify new opportunities for cooperation.
A key outcome of the discussions was NASA’s invitation to ISRO to join its Moon Base programme, reflecting the growing cooperation between India and the US in lunar exploration and human spaceflight.
The proposal builds on cooperation under the Artemis Accords, a framework designed to promote international partnerships for the peaceful exploration of the Moon and beyond. India joined the Artemis Accords in 2023.
The talks come on the heels of the successful launch of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar supporting scientific research related to natural hazards, ecosystems and environmental changes.
Officials said the two countries are looking to build on the success of NISAR through additional collaborative missions and space technology initiatives. (IANS)
