The next step to the Moon and an invite for India

In the midst of India-US tension, space collaboration has remained a steady part of their relationship. Since their close partnership began, the agencies have worked closely together on various projects. Now, NASA has extended an invitation to ISRO to take part in its Moon Base program, a major initiative to create a permanent research station on the Moon where astronauts can live, work, and conduct research for extended periods.

For the first time since 1972, humans are planning a return to the Moon, this time with the goal of establishing longer stays.

This initiative, spearheaded by the United States through its Artemis program, aims to land humans on the Moon before 2028. NASA recognizes that achieving this goal faster and more efficiently could be accomplished with the help of other countries and private companies. ISRO, which plans to land humans on the Moon by 2040, will benefit from valuable experience in executing complex crewed missions and access to advanced technologies.

India has already committed to the Artemis Accords, a US-led coalition of space-faring nations, and agreed to develop a strategic framework for human spaceflight cooperation with the US. The exploration of the Moon is becoming increasingly important for strategic and economic reasons, as countries begin to consider the extraction of lunar resources.

However, there are potential challenges. The Artemis Accords have been perceived by some as a US-led alliance, excluding major space powers like China and Russia. These accords seek to develop a governance framework for the use of lunar resources, replacing the 1979 Moon Agreement.

India has been cautious about joining such international structures. While signing the Artemis Accords, India made a decision that could now present a new opportunity. Accepting NASA's offer to join the Moon Base program could be a logical next step for ISRO, helping it achieve its goals faster and more efficiently. However, it is crucial that ISRO does not become dependent on NASA's technology ecosystem, as this could once again make the agency vulnerable to technology denial.

The cooperation on the Moon Base program should enable ISRO to reach its objectives while maintaining its autonomy.