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NASA Invites ISRO to Join Moon Base Program

The offer opens formal talks on open scientific data under the Artemis Accords.

Overview

  • NASA invited the Indian Space Research Organisation to join its Moon Base program, the US Embassy said in a press release published Tuesday.
  • The invitation was raised during the 9th India–US Civil Space Joint Working Group talks held at ISRO headquarters in Bengaluru on Aug. 5–6.
  • Both sides agreed to advance negotiations on open scientific data sharing under the Artemis Accords to set rules for cooperation and transparency.
  • Officials stressed the move is a working-level invitation that builds on recent partnerships but leaves specific Indian roles, timelines, and commitments to be negotiated.
  • The offer could expand India's operational and scientific role on sustained lunar activity and ties to its Space Vision 2047 goals after joint projects such as NISAR and the Axiom-4 astronaut mission.