NASA invites ISRO to join Moon base programme

The United States has extended an invitation to India's space agency, ISRO, to participate in its Moon Base program, signaling a significant deepening of the two nations' space cooperation. The announcement came during the 9th Civil Space Joint Working Group meeting in Bengaluru, co-chaired by the U.S. Embassy and NASA.

U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor highlighted the invitation on social media, emphasizing how it strengthens the U.S.-India deep space partnership. This collaboration aligns with the India-US TRUST initiative, which aims to advance civil and commercial space cooperation, as outlined in a joint leaders' statement from February 2025.

Beyond the Moon Base program, both countries are exploring future collaborations in science and human space flight technology. These discussions build upon the successful launch of the joint NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission last year. Both nations also reaffirmed their commitment to the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space guidelines for sustainable space activities.

The meeting, hosted by ISRO, was attended by senior officials from both countries, including Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman of ISRO, and Dr. Wesley Brooks, Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs from the U.S. side. The dialogue underscored a shared vision for advancing space exploration and scientific discovery through bilateral partnership.

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NASA has invited @ISRO to join its Moon Base programme, deepening the U.S.-India deep space partnership!