NASA Invites ISRO to Join Moon Base Programme
NASA has invited ISRO to participate in its Moon Base programme, discussed during the India-U.S. Civil Space Joint Working Group meeting held in Bengaluru on 5–6 August 2026. The initiative aims to establish a permanent human outpost near the Moon’s South Pole.
- Phase 1 (2026–2029): Robotic exploration and technology testing.
- Phase 2 (2029–2032): Development of infrastructure for sustained lunar presence.
- Phase 3 (Post-2032): Establishment of a permanent lunar base.
- India’s role: Strengthen lunar exploration, technology cooperation and scientific data sharing with the U.S.
- Artemis Accords: India joined in June 2023 as the 27th signatory.
- NISAR: The partnership builds on the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar mission launched in 2025.
- Strategic significance: The collaboration strengthens India-U.S. space cooperation and supports future Moon and Mars exploration, including resource utilization such as extracting water and producing fuel.
One-liner extra facts: The Artemis Accords were established in October 2020 by NASA and the U.S. Department of State as a non-binding framework for peaceful civil space exploration, building on the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.
