Washington, D.C. – NASA will soon begin providing advanced training to Indian astronauts as part of a collaborative effort to send them to the International Space Station (ISS), announced U.S. Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti. Speaking at the “US-India Commercial Space Conference: Unlocking Opportunities for US & Indian Space Startups,” held in Bangalore, Garcetti outlined the plans for this significant collaboration.
Garcetti emphasized the joint effort between the two nations, stating, “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.”
In addition to astronaut training, Garcetti highlighted the upcoming launch of the NISAR satellite from ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Center. This satellite will monitor various global resources, including ecosystems, natural hazards, sea level rise, and the cryosphere. “You see whether it’s the pursuit of peace and the peaceful use of space, things like the Artemis Accord, we are hand in hand, arm in arm,” Garcetti remarked.
Expanding US-India Space Collaboration
The event in Bengaluru saw participation from high-ranking officials from both the U.S. and Indian governments, including ISRO Chairman Dr. S. Somanath, representatives from NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and various leaders from the commercial space industry, venture capitalists, and market analysts.
Dr. Somanath expressed his enthusiasm for the growing partnership, stating, “The connection between the Indian partners and also the US partners in critical technologies and specifically in the space sector is really becoming stronger. And I’m very happy about that type of engagement and the options available to the industries and the US business indigenous to connect with India in the emerging space sector as well.”
New Chapter in US-India Space Partnership
USIBC President Atul Keshap highlighted the strategic importance of this collaboration, describing it as a new chapter in the US-India space partnership. “The conference highlights the deepening synergy between our two free nations in pioneering space exploration and innovation by the leading democracies,” Keshap said. He emphasized the potential for achieving extraordinary milestones through strategic alliances and collaborative efforts.
Fostering Innovation and Economic Growth
USIBC Managing Director Alexander Slater noted that the conference underscored the importance of fostering strategic partnerships to drive innovation and propel the space industry forward. “This is the next step in USIBC’s continued commitment to fostering bilateral cooperation among leading companies and startups from both countries to unlock new opportunities for economic growth, job creation, and technological leadership,” Slater stated.
The US-India Commercial Space Conference marks a significant step in advancing the bilateral space cooperation, building on previous efforts such as the INDUS-X event in New Delhi, which promoted innovation and cooperation in new and emerging defense technologies.
As both nations look to the future, the collaborative efforts in space exploration signify a strengthening partnership that aims to achieve unprecedented advancements in the space industry.