NASA has invited the Indian Space Research Organisation to join its Moon Base program to establish a permanent outpost near the lunar south pole. According to a joint statement from the United States and India, the project involves a series of crewed and automated missions to build permanent infrastructure for living, working, and conducting research.
NASA links the program to new scientific discoveries and preparation for future deep space expeditions. The invitation to ISRO emerged from the ninth meeting of the US-India Civil Space Joint Working Group, held on August 5 and 6 at ISRO headquarters in Bengaluru.
Both sides agreed to continue discussions on sharing open scientific data under the Artemis Accords, which set international principles for exploring and using the Moon and other celestial bodies. They also discussed expanding cooperation in space science and technology for crewed flights following last year's successful launch of the joint NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar mission.
Critical Technology Cooperation
The talks took place under the US-India TRUST initiative, launched in February 2025 to promote cooperation in critical and emerging technologies. These fields include artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum technologies, biotechnology, energy, defense, and space.
At the meeting, both parties also reaffirmed their commitment to recommendations from the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space regarding the long-term sustainability of space activities.
