‘We’re Going Back to the Moon and Want India by Our Side,’ Says US Envoy Sergio Gor

“We’re going back to the Moon, and we want India by our side on the lunar surface,” US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor told the Bengaluru Space Expo 2026. He said NASA has officially invited the Indian Space Research Organisation to join its Moon base programme.

“

India is a proud signatory of the Artemis Accords, and NASA has officially invited ISRO to join us in the Moon base program. Make no mistake: we're going back to the Moon, and we want India by our side on the lunar surface.

Gor described India as a proud signatory of the Artemis Accords. Under the Artemis missions, NASA plans increasingly difficult lunar expeditions focused on scientific discovery, economic benefits and the foundations for future crewed missions to Mars.

He presented the NISAR mission as evidence that cooperation between NASA and ISRO can produce immediate practical benefits. “NASA and ISRO didn't build a monument to scientific theory; they built a lifesaver. Literally,” Gor said. He added that when a devastating earthquake struck Venezuela two months earlier, NISAR radar data cut through clouds and dust and helped emergency responders reach ground zero.

“

NASA and ISRO didn't build a monument to scientific theory; they built a lifesaver. Literally.

The envoy also pointed to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s mission to the International Space Station as a landmark made possible through US partnership. After the Axiom-4 mission and five joint science investigations, the two countries are examining docking standards, interoperability and astronaut training. “TRUST creates capability. Capability creates ambition. And ambition takes us beyond the stratosphere,” Gor said.

“

TRUST creates capability. Capability creates ambition. And ambition takes us beyond the stratosphere.

Gor urged Indian space entrepreneurs to pursue the American market, naming Pixxel, GalaxEye, Digantara, Bellatrix, Skyroot and Agnikul. He said the two countries were also working on global rules for space traffic coordination and the upcoming World Radiocommunication Conference in Shanghai.

“

To every Indian space entrepreneur in this room: the American market is open to you. Our investors are watching you. Our ecosystems welcome you. We are here to help you make that leap.