Representative image BENGALURU: Nasa has invited Isro to join its Moon Base programme, opening a new avenue for India-US cooperation in lunar exploration and human spaceflight.The Moon Base was announced during Nasa’s “Ignition” event on March 24, 2026, where the US space agency unveiled a series of initiatives designed to achieve President Donald J Trump’s National Space Policy and advance American leadership in space.The invitation to Isro was extended during the 9th meeting of the India-US Civil Space Joint Working Group (CSJWG), held at Isro headquarters in Bengaluru on Aug 5 and Aug 6.The meeting brought together senior officials from both countries to advance civil and commercial space cooperation under the US-India Transforming the Relationship Utilising Strategic Technology (TRUST) Initiative.The invitation builds on the growing partnership between the two countries under the Artemis Accords, which seek to establish principles for the peaceful and sustainable exploration of the Moon and beyond.“Nasa invited Isro to join its Moon Base program, building on the two countries’ partnership under the Artemis Accords. The two sides also agreed to advance discussions for cooperation on open scientific data sharing under the [Artemis] Accords,” the US Embassy said in a statement on Tuesday.The two sides discussed expanding collaboration in future space science and human spaceflight technologies. The meeting came after the successful launch of Nisar, the joint Nasa-Isro Synthetic Aperture Radar mission, last year. Nisar is designed to provide detailed observations of changes on Earth’s land and ice surfaces and is the first satellite mission to use two different radar frequencies to study the planet.The two countries also “reaffirmed their commitment to advancing guidelines on the long-term sustainability of outer space activities through the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS),” the statement read, adding that the teams reviewed ongoing multilateral efforts aimed at strengthening the committee’s effectiveness.The CSJWG meeting was addressed by Department of Space secretary V Narayanan and US ambassador to India Sergio Gor. It was co-chaired by M Sankaran, director of Isro’s UR Rao Satellite Centre, and US officials Wesley Brooks, assistant secretary of state for oceans and international environmental and scientific affairs, and Kathleen Karika, Nasa associate administrator for international and interagency relations.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe Moon Base invitation comes as the US-led Artemis programme moves towards establishing a sustained human presence around the Moon. India became a signatory to the Artemis Accords in 2023, committing to principles governing peaceful exploration, scientific cooperation and the sustainable use of space resources.For India, participation in the Moon Base programme could extend its involvement in lunar exploration beyond its Chandrayaan missions and provide opportunities for collaboration in science, technology and human spaceflight. The US and India have already identified human spaceflight as an area for deeper cooperation, including through the broader strategic partnership between their space agencies.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorChethan KumarChethan Kumar is a Senior Assistant Editor with the Times of India. Aside from specialising in Space & Science, he has reported extensively on varied topics, with special focus on defence, policy and data stories. He has covered multiple elections, too. As a young democracy grows out of adolescence, Chethan feels, there are reels of tales emerging which need to be captured. To do this, he alternates between the mundane goings-on of the Common Man and the wonder-filled worlds of scientists and scamsters, politicians and soldiers. In a career spanning nearly 18 years, he has reported from multiple datelines — Houston, Florida, Kochi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Sriharikota (AP), NH-1 (J&K Highway), New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Raichur, Bhatkal, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, to name a few — but is based out of Bengaluru, India’s science capital that also hosts the ISRO HQ.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Amit Shah Jawab Do’ Vs ‘Rahul Gandhi Bhaago Mat’: NDA, Oppn Face-Off In Parliament’Booked Hotel Room, Strangled Daughters’: Inside Bengaluru Murder Shocker‘Ladakh Is Not Kaziranga’: Snow Leopard Safari Plan Sparks DebateAmit Shah To Speak On Student Protest Crackdown; Rahul Says ‘Not Interested In Fantasy Convos’CJP Core Committee Dispute: Two Youths On Hunger Strike In Abhijit Dipke’s Hometown Hospitalised‘Only Dialogue Can Solve This’: Rahul Gandhi Backs Peaceful Jharkhand Student Protest | WatchJharkhand Students Storm Assembly Gates Amid Tear Gas, Lathicharge As ED Probe Intensifies Exam RowBihar Man Posed As IAS Officer, Claimed Doval Link; Police Seize Tesla, SUV And Imported Liquor’Mujhe Narendra Naam Se Nafrat Ho Gayi Hai’: PM Modi Interacts With India’s CWG Champions | Watch109 Years Later, MP Man Gets U.K. Response On War Loan Claim123PhotostoriesBefore cholesterol reaches the heart, it may leave clues elsewhere: 7 changes doctors say not to overlookMix these 5 things with Castor Oil for incredible hair growthKKR cricketer Ramandeep Singh and actress Charlie Chauhan’s love story: From keeping it private to a dreamy ceremonyNatasha Poonawalla makes a case for maximalist dressing in an archival Versace Banarasi skirt suit7 types of South Indian coffee every coffee lover should try10 local Jharkhand dishes that offer a taste of its rich food cultureNew York’s lost buildings: 10 landmarks that once defined the city but no longer exist10 iconic potato dishes from around the world every food lover should knowAugust jade plant care: 5 easy steps to encourage fuller, healthier growthFrom Ajay Devgn hosting the upcoming season of Crime Patrol to Madhuri Dixit returning as a host after 24 years: Bollywood stars and their TV debuts123Hot PicksMumbai rainNEET PG city intimation slipSlovenia Indian embassyJharkhand protestWeather AhmedabadAjit DovalIran warDelhi rainUP scholarshipTop TrendingCJPGurgaon Businessman Wife ArrestBengaluru Missing TechieBlinkit MumbaiHarbhajan SinghPune-Bengaluru Highway AccidentTelangana AccidentAbhijeet DipkeWeather TomorrowShakeel Noorani
![Representative image BENGALURU: Nasa has invited Isro to join its Moon Base programme, opening a new avenue for India-US cooperation in lunar exploration and human spaceflight.The Moon Base was announced during Nasa’s “Ignition” event on March 24, 2026, where the US space agency unveiled a series of initiatives designed to achieve President Donald J Trump’s National Space Policy and advance American leadership in space.The invitation to Isro was extended during the 9th meeting of the India-US Civil Space Joint Working Group (CSJWG), held at Isro headquarters in Bengaluru on Aug 5 and Aug 6.The meeting brought together senior officials from both countries to advance civil and commercial space cooperation under the US-India Transforming the Relationship Utilising Strategic Technology (TRUST) Initiative.The invitation builds on the growing partnership between the two countries under the Artemis Accords, which seek to establish principles for the peaceful and sustainable exploration of the Moon and beyond.“Nasa invited Isro to join its Moon Base program, building on the two countries’ partnership under the Artemis Accords. The two sides also agreed to advance discussions for cooperation on open scientific data sharing under the [Artemis] Accords,” the US Embassy said in a statement on Tuesday.The two sides discussed expanding collaboration in future space science and human spaceflight technologies. The meeting came after the successful launch of Nisar, the joint Nasa-Isro Synthetic Aperture Radar mission, last year. Nisar is designed to provide detailed observations of changes on Earth’s land and ice surfaces and is the first satellite mission to use two different radar frequencies to study the planet.The two countries also “reaffirmed their commitment to advancing guidelines on the long-term sustainability of outer space activities through the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS),” the statement read, adding that the teams reviewed ongoing multilateral efforts aimed at strengthening the committee’s effectiveness.The CSJWG meeting was addressed by Department of Space secretary V Narayanan and US ambassador to India Sergio Gor. It was co-chaired by M Sankaran, director of Isro’s UR Rao Satellite Centre, and US officials Wesley Brooks, assistant secretary of state for oceans and international environmental and scientific affairs, and Kathleen Karika, Nasa associate administrator for international and interagency relations.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe Moon Base invitation comes as the US-led Artemis programme moves towards establishing a sustained human presence around the Moon. India became a signatory to the Artemis Accords in 2023, committing to principles governing peaceful exploration, scientific cooperation and the sustainable use of space resources.For India, participation in the Moon Base programme could extend its involvement in lunar exploration beyond its Chandrayaan missions and provide opportunities for collaboration in science, technology and human spaceflight. The US and India have already identified human spaceflight as an area for deeper cooperation, including through the broader strategic partnership between their space agencies.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorChethan KumarChethan Kumar is a Senior Assistant Editor with the Times of India. Aside from specialising in Space & Science, he has reported extensively on varied topics, with special focus on defence, policy and data stories. He has covered multiple elections, too. As a young democracy grows out of adolescence, Chethan feels, there are reels of tales emerging which need to be captured. To do this, he alternates between the mundane goings-on of the Common Man and the wonder-filled worlds of scientists and scamsters, politicians and soldiers. In a career spanning nearly 18 years, he has reported from multiple datelines — Houston, Florida, Kochi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Sriharikota (AP), NH-1 (J&K Highway), New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Raichur, Bhatkal, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, to name a few — but is based out of Bengaluru, India’s science capital that also hosts the ISRO HQ.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Amit Shah Jawab Do’ Vs ‘Rahul Gandhi Bhaago Mat’: NDA, Oppn Face-Off In Parliament’Booked Hotel Room, Strangled Daughters’: Inside Bengaluru Murder Shocker‘Ladakh Is Not Kaziranga’: Snow Leopard Safari Plan Sparks DebateAmit Shah To Speak On Student Protest Crackdown; Rahul Says ‘Not Interested In Fantasy Convos’CJP Core Committee Dispute: Two Youths On Hunger Strike In Abhijit Dipke’s Hometown Hospitalised‘Only Dialogue Can Solve This’: Rahul Gandhi Backs Peaceful Jharkhand Student Protest | WatchJharkhand Students Storm Assembly Gates Amid Tear Gas, Lathicharge As ED Probe Intensifies Exam RowBihar Man Posed As IAS Officer, Claimed Doval Link; Police Seize Tesla, SUV And Imported Liquor’Mujhe Narendra Naam Se Nafrat Ho Gayi Hai’: PM Modi Interacts With India’s CWG Champions | Watch109 Years Later, MP Man Gets U.K. Response On War Loan Claim123PhotostoriesBefore cholesterol reaches the heart, it may leave clues elsewhere: 7 changes doctors say not to overlookMix these 5 things with Castor Oil for incredible hair growthKKR cricketer Ramandeep Singh and actress Charlie Chauhan’s love story: From keeping it private to a dreamy ceremonyNatasha Poonawalla makes a case for maximalist dressing in an archival Versace Banarasi skirt suit7 types of South Indian coffee every coffee lover should try10 local Jharkhand dishes that offer a taste of its rich food cultureNew York’s lost buildings: 10 landmarks that once defined the city but no longer exist10 iconic potato dishes from around the world every food lover should knowAugust jade plant care: 5 easy steps to encourage fuller, healthier growthFrom Ajay Devgn hosting the upcoming season of Crime Patrol to Madhuri Dixit returning as a host after 24 years: Bollywood stars and their TV debuts123Hot PicksMumbai rainNEET PG city intimation slipSlovenia Indian embassyJharkhand protestWeather AhmedabadAjit DovalIran warDelhi rainUP scholarshipTop TrendingCJPGurgaon Businessman Wife ArrestBengaluru Missing TechieBlinkit MumbaiHarbhajan SinghPune-Bengaluru Highway AccidentTelangana AccidentAbhijeet DipkeWeather TomorrowShakeel Noorani](https://vknewstoday.in/wp-content/uploads/1786444733_photo.jpg "Representative image BENGALURU: Nasa has invited Isro to join its Moon Base programme, opening a new avenue for India-US cooperation in lunar exploration and human spaceflight.The Moon Base was announced during Nasa’s “Ignition” event on March 24, 2026, where the US space agency unveiled a series of initiatives designed to achieve President Donald J Trump’s National Space Policy and advance American leadership in space.The invitation to Isro was extended during the 9th meeting of the India-US Civil Space Joint Working Group (CSJWG), held at Isro headquarters in Bengaluru on Aug 5 and Aug 6.The meeting brought together senior officials from both countries to advance civil and commercial space cooperation under the US-India Transforming the Relationship Utilising Strategic Technology (TRUST) Initiative.The invitation builds on the growing partnership between the two countries under the Artemis Accords, which seek to establish principles for the peaceful and sustainable exploration of the Moon and beyond.“Nasa invited Isro to join its Moon Base program, building on the two countries’ partnership under the Artemis Accords. The two sides also agreed to advance discussions for cooperation on open scientific data sharing under the [Artemis] Accords,” the US Embassy said in a statement on Tuesday.The two sides discussed expanding collaboration in future space science and human spaceflight technologies. The meeting came after the successful launch of Nisar, the joint Nasa-Isro Synthetic Aperture Radar mission, last year. Nisar is designed to provide detailed observations of changes on Earth’s land and ice surfaces and is the first satellite mission to use two different radar frequencies to study the planet.The two countries also “reaffirmed their commitment to advancing guidelines on the long-term sustainability of outer space activities through the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS),” the statement read, adding that the teams reviewed ongoing multilateral efforts aimed at strengthening the committee’s effectiveness.The CSJWG meeting was addressed by Department of Space secretary V Narayanan and US ambassador to India Sergio Gor. It was co-chaired by M Sankaran, director of Isro’s UR Rao Satellite Centre, and US officials Wesley Brooks, assistant secretary of state for oceans and international environmental and scientific affairs, and Kathleen Karika, Nasa associate administrator for international and interagency relations.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe Moon Base invitation comes as the US-led Artemis programme moves towards establishing a sustained human presence around the Moon. India became a signatory to the Artemis Accords in 2023, committing to principles governing peaceful exploration, scientific cooperation and the sustainable use of space resources.For India, participation in the Moon Base programme could extend its involvement in lunar exploration beyond its Chandrayaan missions and provide opportunities for collaboration in science, technology and human spaceflight. The US and India have already identified human spaceflight as an area for deeper cooperation, including through the broader strategic partnership between their space agencies.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorChethan KumarChethan Kumar is a Senior Assistant Editor with the Times of India. Aside from specialising in Space & Science, he has reported extensively on varied topics, with special focus on defence, policy and data stories. He has covered multiple elections, too. As a young democracy grows out of adolescence, Chethan feels, there are reels of tales emerging which need to be captured. To do this, he alternates between the mundane goings-on of the Common Man and the wonder-filled worlds of scientists and scamsters, politicians and soldiers. In a career spanning nearly 18 years, he has reported from multiple datelines — Houston, Florida, Kochi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Sriharikota (AP), NH-1 (J&K Highway), New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Raichur, Bhatkal, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, to name a few — but is based out of Bengaluru, India’s science capital that also hosts the ISRO HQ.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Amit Shah Jawab Do’ Vs ‘Rahul Gandhi Bhaago Mat’: NDA, Oppn Face-Off In Parliament’Booked Hotel Room, Strangled Daughters’: Inside Bengaluru Murder Shocker‘Ladakh Is Not Kaziranga’: Snow Leopard Safari Plan Sparks DebateAmit Shah To Speak On Student Protest Crackdown; Rahul Says ‘Not Interested In Fantasy Convos’CJP Core Committee Dispute: Two Youths On Hunger Strike In Abhijit Dipke’s Hometown Hospitalised‘Only Dialogue Can Solve This’: Rahul Gandhi Backs Peaceful Jharkhand Student Protest | WatchJharkhand Students Storm Assembly Gates Amid Tear Gas, Lathicharge As ED Probe Intensifies Exam RowBihar Man Posed As IAS Officer, Claimed Doval Link; Police Seize Tesla, SUV And Imported Liquor’Mujhe Narendra Naam Se Nafrat Ho Gayi Hai’: PM Modi Interacts With India’s CWG Champions | Watch109 Years Later, MP Man Gets U.K. Response On War Loan Claim123PhotostoriesBefore cholesterol reaches the heart, it may leave clues elsewhere: 7 changes doctors say not to overlookMix these 5 things with Castor Oil for incredible hair growthKKR cricketer Ramandeep Singh and actress Charlie Chauhan’s love story: From keeping it private to a dreamy ceremonyNatasha Poonawalla makes a case for maximalist dressing in an archival Versace Banarasi skirt suit7 types of South Indian coffee every coffee lover should try10 local Jharkhand dishes that offer a taste of its rich food cultureNew York’s lost buildings: 10 landmarks that once defined the city but no longer exist10 iconic potato dishes from around the world every food lover should knowAugust jade plant care: 5 easy steps to encourage fuller, healthier growthFrom Ajay Devgn hosting the upcoming season of Crime Patrol to Madhuri Dixit returning as a host after 24 years: Bollywood stars and their TV debuts123Hot PicksMumbai rainNEET PG city intimation slipSlovenia Indian embassyJharkhand protestWeather AhmedabadAjit DovalIran warDelhi rainUP scholarshipTop TrendingCJPGurgaon Businessman Wife ArrestBengaluru Missing TechieBlinkit MumbaiHarbhajan SinghPune-Bengaluru Highway AccidentTelangana AccidentAbhijeet DipkeWeather TomorrowShakeel Noorani")
BENGALURU: Nasa has invited Isro to join its Moon Base programme, opening a new avenue for India-US cooperation in lunar exploration and human spaceflight.The Moon Base was announced during Nasa’s “Ignition” event on March 24, 2026, where the US space agency unveiled a series of initiatives designed to achieve President Donald J Trump’s National Space Policy and advance American leadership in space.The invitation to Isro was extended during the 9th meeting of the India-US Civil Space Joint Working Group (CSJWG), held at Isro headquarters in Bengaluru on Aug 5 and Aug 6.The meeting brought together senior officials from both countries to advance civil and commercial space cooperation under the US-India Transforming the Relationship Utilising Strategic Technology (TRUST) Initiative.The invitation builds on the growing partnership between the two countries under the Artemis Accords, which seek to establish principles for the peaceful and sustainable exploration of the Moon and beyond.“Nasa invited Isro to join its Moon Base program, building on the two countries’ partnership under the Artemis Accords. The two sides also agreed to advance discussions for cooperation on open scientific data sharing under the [Artemis] Accords,” the US Embassy said in a statement on Tuesday.The two sides discussed expanding collaboration in future space science and human spaceflight technologies. The meeting came after the successful launch of Nisar, the joint Nasa-Isro Synthetic Aperture Radar mission, last year. Nisar is designed to provide detailed observations of changes on Earth’s land and ice surfaces and is the first satellite mission to use two different radar frequencies to study the planet.The two countries also “reaffirmed their commitment to advancing guidelines on the long-term sustainability of outer space activities through the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS),” the statement read, adding that the teams reviewed ongoing multilateral efforts aimed at strengthening the committee’s effectiveness.The CSJWG meeting was addressed by Department of Space secretary V Narayanan and US ambassador to India Sergio Gor. It was co-chaired by M Sankaran, director of Isro’s UR Rao Satellite Centre, and US officials Wesley Brooks, assistant secretary of state for oceans and international environmental and scientific affairs, and Kathleen Karika, Nasa associate administrator for international and interagency relations.
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The Moon Base invitation comes as the US-led Artemis programme moves towards establishing a sustained human presence around the Moon. India became a signatory to the Artemis Accords in 2023, committing to principles governing peaceful exploration, scientific cooperation and the sustainable use of space resources.For India, participation in the Moon Base programme could extend its involvement in lunar exploration beyond its Chandrayaan missions and provide opportunities for collaboration in science, technology and human spaceflight. The US and India have already identified human spaceflight as an area for deeper cooperation, including through the broader strategic partnership between their space agencies.
