Aiming to expand space explorations to Mars and beyond, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) officials are mulling roping in India for their Artemis Accords, and all this is happening ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s US visit from 21-25 June, reported Times of India on 19 June.
According to the report, a US expert expects cooperation in the space field will be among the main areas of discussions between US President Joe Biden and PM Modi. Both global leaders are scheduled to meet next week in the White House.
Recently, associate administrator Bhavya Lal said that India could become the 26th country as Signatory to the Artemis Accords.
Before completing his bachelor’s and master’s in nuclear engineering from MIT, Lal — serving as acting chief technologist of NASA — did his schooling in Delhi.
On the other hand, another US expert Mike Gold opined that the US-India relationship is critical on Earth and would be more in space. Describing India as a ‘sleeping giant’, Gold said that for India the sky is no longer the limit.
Meanwhile, Gold, considered to be the architect of the Artemis Accords, has requested India to join the US Lunar programmes.
Earlier, the US kicked off its Artemis program in November 2022, after it launched the unmanned Orion spacecraft towards and moon and brought it back safely.
Considering, if PM Modi and President Biden discuss India joining NASA’s Artemis program, it will benefit ISRO’s exploration projects. (Mint)
