In a significant development, an Indian citizen is poised to undertake the first space travel since Rakesh Sharma’s iconic journey in 1984. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson announced on Tuesday that the United States will collaborate with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to train and send an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS) by the conclusion of 2024.
Nelson clarified that while the selection process for the astronaut will be carried out by ISRO, NASA will not be directly involved. During his visit to India to bolster Indo-US space cooperation, Nelson expressed admiration for India’s achievements, particularly applauding the country’s distinction as the first to land on the Moon’s south pole.
Acknowledging India as a significant partner for the United States, Nelson conveyed the US’s intention to launch private landers on the Moon’s south pole in the coming year. He further extended congratulations to Indian Space Minister Jitendra Singh for the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3.
This collaborative effort between India and the US is not limited to the ISS mission. NASA is open to collaborating with India on the construction of its space station and is actively involved in planning an interplanetary mission. Additionally, the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite, with an estimated value of nearly $1 billion, is scheduled for launch next year.
Nelson emphasized that the US sees India as a great partner for current and future activities involving astronauts in space. He expressed eagerness to strengthen ties and explore new frontiers in space exploration during his visit to various Indian cities.
