NASA invites ISRO to join its Moon Base programme under Artemis Accords

New Delhi, August 11
NASA has invited the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to join its Moon Base programme, building on the two countries’ partnership under the Artemis Accords. India and US have agreed to advance discussions for cooperation on open scientific data sharing under the Accords.

The ninth meeting of the India-US Civil Space Joint Working Group was hosted by India on 5th and 6th August at the headquarters of the Indian Space Research Organization in Bengaluru. ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan and US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor addressed the opening segment. They highlighted the significance of further strengthening the bilateral space cooperation.

External Affairs Ministry said in a statement that the meeting advanced civil and commercial space cooperation under the US-India Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology, TRUST Initiative.

Both sides discussed expanding cooperation following the successful launch of the joint NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission last year, as well as pursuing future science and human space flight technology collaborations. They reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) guidelines on the long-term sustainability of outer space activities. They also reviewed ongoing multilateral efforts for ensuring the Committee’s effectiveness.