In a landmark announcement, U.S. envoy to India Eric Garcetti revealed on May 22 that America will send an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS) by the end of the year. This mission underscores the growing cooperation between the United States and India in space exploration and technology.
Speaking on the sidelines of an event commemorating the 248th Independence Day of the United States, Garcetti confirmed the timeline for the astronaut’s journey. “We promised when PM (Narendra) Modi came to the U.S. in 2023 that by the end of this year, we will do this and our mission is still on track to be able to go in space this year,” he stated.
Additionally, Garcetti highlighted the upcoming launch of the NISAR project, a joint Earth-observing mission between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). This mission is also expected to take place by the end of the year, further cementing the collaborative efforts of the two space agencies.
During his speech, Garcetti emphasized the importance of India and the U.S. coordinating research and leveraging each other’s strengths in critical emerging technologies. He cited India’s successful Chandrayaan 3 mission to the Moon, which achieved its goals at a fraction of the cost of similar U.S. missions, as an example of the potential benefits of such collaboration.
“The U.S. has some capacities that India still doesn’t have today. When the two are combined, both countries have those capacities,” he explained.
On the topic of civilian nuclear energy, Garcetti expressed optimism about resolving outstanding liability issues post-elections in India. He mentioned two sites, Mithi Virdhi in Gujarat and Kovvada in Andhra Pradesh, earmarked for U.S. companies to build nuclear reactors, highlighting another area of potential bilateral cooperation.
This announcement marks a significant milestone in the U.S.-India relationship, demonstrating a shared commitment to advancing space exploration and technological innovation. The impending ISS mission and the NISAR project symbolize a deepening partnership that extends beyond terrestrial borders into the realm of space.
