3 weeks ago
NASA Invites ISRO to Join Moon Base under Artemis Accords
NASA is the American space agency, and ISRO is India's space agency.
NASA has invited ISRO to join a special project called the Moon Base programme.
The goal is to build the first permanent base on the Moon, near the Moon's South Pole.
If it happens, astronauts would live, work, and do science experiments there for a long time.
The invitation came after a big meeting in Bengaluru, India, on August 5 and 6.
India already works with the US through an agreement called the Artemis Accords, which India joined in 2023.
The two countries also agreed to share science information more openly.
NASA hopes the Moon Base will help prepare for future missions to Mars.
India is also working on sending its own astronauts to space with the Gaganyaan mission.
The first uncrewed test flight is planned for late 2026.
NASA has invited ISRO to join its Moon Base programme, announced by the US Embassy on Tuesday.
The Moon Base aims to establish humanity's first permanent lunar outpost where astronauts will live, work, and explore near the Moon's South Pole.
The invitation follows the 9th India-US Civil Space Joint Working Group meeting held August 5-6 at ISRO headquarters in Bengaluru.
Both sides agreed to advance discussions on open scientific data sharing and future science and human spaceflight collaborations under the Artemis Accords.
India, an Artemis Accords member since June 21, 2023, is targeting the Vyommitra uncrewed Gaganyaan flight for Q4 2026 and the Chandrayaan-4 sample return mission for 2027.
- Who
- NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO); ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor addressed the talks.
- What
- NASA invited ISRO to join its Moon Base programme, which aims to build humanity's first permanent lunar outpost near the Moon's South Pole, and the two sides agreed to advance open scientific data sharing under the Artemis Accords.
- Where
- ISRO headquarters in Bengaluru, India.
- When
- Announced by the US Embassy on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, following the 9th India-US Civil Space Joint Working Group meeting held August 5-6.
- Why
- To strengthen the India-US space partnership under the Artemis Accords, secure US leadership in space, advance scientific research, and prepare for future missions to Mars.
Key facts
- Space agencies
- NASA (US) and ISRO (India)
- Moon Base
- Humanity's first permanent lunar outpost near the Moon's South Pole
- Agreement
- Artemis Accords; India joined June 21, 2023 as 27th member, now 70 countries
- Meeting
- 9th India-US Civil Space Joint Working Group (CSJWG), August 5-6, ISRO headquarters, Bengaluru
- Key officials
- ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan; US Ambassador Sergio Gor
- Gaganyaan
- Vyommitra uncrewed mission targeted Q4 2026; two further uncrewed missions by 2027
- Chandrayaan-4
- Sample return mission targeted for 2027
- LUPEX
- Lunar Polar Exploration mission with Japan, planned 2028-2029
Quotes
Joint NASA-ISRO press statement
Official statement issued by NASA and ISRO
“The August 5-6 meeting focused on further expanding commercial and civil space cooperation between the two countries. The two sides also spoke on furthering joint missions to the Moon and beyond, and identified the areas in which the two countries could share their expertise and knowledge.”
indianexpress.com
“NISAR’s data sharing and operations were discussed in-depth. It is seen as a successful joint venture and could pave the way for more such complex space missions, including the human space flight mission and building the lunar base.”
indianexpress.com
Sergio Gor
U.S. Ambassador to India
“"Critical and emerging technologies remain central to the U.S.-India partnership. Our countries are committed to expanding scientific collaboration and developing the next generation of scientists and creators,"”
thestatesman.com
Sources
NASA invites ISRO to join humanity's first Moon Base mission
NASA Invites India for Moon Base Programme
NASA invites ISRO to join its ambitious Moon Base program
NASA Invites ISRO To Join Artemis Moon Base Programme As India Advances Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight Mission
NASA invites ISRO to join its Moon base programme
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