New Delhi: NASA has invited the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to join its Moon Base programme as India and the US look to expand cooperation
in space science and human spaceflight. The proposal was discussed during the ninth meeting of the India-US Civil Space Joint Working Group in Bengaluru.
The meeting was held at ISRO headquarters on August 5 and 6. According to a US Embassy press release, both sides discussed expanding civil and commercial space cooperation, along with future partnerships in science, technology and human spaceflight.
NASA and ISRO Discuss Moon Base Cooperation
The US invitation comes as India strengthens its participation in international lunar exploration efforts. India and the US also agreed to continue discussions on open scientific data sharing under the Artemis Accords.
The talks build on India’s existing partnership with the US under the Artemis Accords, which promote peaceful exploration and use of the Moon and other celestial bodies.
The meeting was held under the India-US Transforming the Relationship Utilising Strategic Technology (TRUST) Initiative. It also follows the February 2025 Joint Leaders’ Statement issued by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump.
Focus on NISAR and Future Space Missions
The two countries reviewed their ongoing cooperation following the successful launch of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission.
NISAR is designed to monitor changes on Earth’s land and ice surfaces using synthetic aperture radar technology. The mission is expected to support scientific research in areas including climate, natural disasters and changes to the Earth’s surface. India and the US are now exploring additional collaborations in space science and human spaceflight technologies.
India-US Reaffirm Commitment to Sustainable Space
The two sides also reaffirmed their support for United Nations guidelines on the long-term sustainability of outer space activities. They reviewed ongoing multilateral efforts under the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). The discussions focused on strengthening international cooperation and ensuring that space activities remain sustainable.
ISRO Chairman and Department of Space Secretary V Narayanan and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor addressed the opening session. The meeting was co-chaired by M. Sankaran, Director of ISRO’s UR Rao Satellite Centre, from the Indian side. The US delegation was represented by Wesley Brooks, Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, and Kathleen Karika, NASA Associate Administrator for International and Interagency Relations.
The latest talks signal a broader India-US space partnership that goes beyond individual missions. Both countries are now looking at cooperation across lunar exploration, commercial space activities, scientific research, data sharing and human spaceflight.
