NASA to Offer Advanced Training to Indian Astronauts for Collaborative ISS Mission, Says US Envoy

NISAR, NASA and ISRO’s Joint Earth-Observing Mission, Set to Launch from Satish Dhawan Space Center

NASA will soon provide advanced training to Indian astronauts to facilitate a joint mission to the International Space Station (ISS), potentially this year or shortly thereafter, US envoy to India Eric Garcetti announced. Garcetti made these remarks during the “US-India Commercial Space Conference: Unlocking Opportunities for US & Indian Space Startups,” which was hosted by the US-India Business Council (USIBC) and the US Commercial Service (USCS) in Bengaluru on Friday.

“NASA will soon provide advanced training to Indian astronauts, with the goal of mounting a joint effort to the International Space Station, hopefully, this year or shortly thereafter, which was one of the promises of our leaders’ visit together,” Garcetti said.

He also highlighted the collaborative efforts between NASA and ISRO, mentioning the upcoming launch of the NISAR satellite. “And soon we will launch the NISAR satellite from ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Center to monitor all resources, including ecosystems, the Earth’s surface, natural hazards, sea level rise, and the cryosphere,” Garcetti stated, according to a USIBC press release.

This initiative signifies a significant step in the US-India space collaboration, enhancing scientific and exploratory capabilities. The training of Indian astronauts by NASA is expected to bolster India’s human spaceflight program and contribute to international space research.

Garcetti’s statements underscore the strengthening of bilateral ties in space technology and exploration. The collaboration on the NISAR mission further exemplifies the shared commitment to monitoring and understanding Earth’s environmental changes.

The US-India Commercial Space Conference served as a platform for discussing new opportunities for space startups from both nations, promoting innovation and partnership in the commercial space sector.

The visiting Indian Government delegation also engaged with the US Space Command, the Joint Commercial Operations Cell, and artificial intelligence experts from across the US Department of Defence, Anderson said.