This year has been testament to the growing importance of Space in diplomacy for India with many milestone moments. In a significant development for the Space cooperation between India and the United States (US), NASA Administrator Bill Nelson recently embarked on a week-long visit to India, reinforcing the robust partnership between NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The visit, part of the United States and India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology showcased the collaborative efforts in fostering regional space growth and advancing economic development.

Nelson shared the experience of meeting Rakesh Sharma, stating, "His story lit up the room! To the Artemis Generation in India and beyond: Work hard, dream big, and reach for the stars. The universe is the limit!"

Nelson also met with space officials to explore opportunities for bilateral cooperation in innovation and research, particularly focusing on human exploration and Earth science. One of the major highlights of the tour was Nelson's visit to the Bengaluru-based facilities where the NISAR spacecraft is undergoing testing and integration for its scheduled launch in 2024. NISAR, short for NASA ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, is a joint Earth-observing mission between NASA and ISRO, representing the first satellite mission collaboration between the two space agencies. Nelson emphasised the significance of NISAR, stating, "NISAR will launch from India in 2024 & deliver unprecedented data on how climate change is impacting our planet." On November 30, Nelson visited Antariksh Bhavan at Bengaluru and had a meeting with S. Somanath, Chairman, ISRO and Secretary, Department of Space (DOS).

DURING HIS VISIT, NASA ADMINISTRATOR SENATOR BILL NELSON ALSO MET RAKESH SHARMA, THE FIRST INDIAN TO FLY TO SPACE.

An inspiring moment during the visit was Nelson's interaction with students in Bengaluru alongside Wing Commander (Retd) Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian to fly to space. Nelson shared the experience on social media, stating, "His story lit up the room! To the Artemis Generation in India and beyond: Work hard, dream big, and reach for the stars. The universe is the limit!"

During a meeting with Chairman Somanath, Administrator Nelson praised the longstanding collaboration between NASA and ISRO. The discussions covered various aspects, including India's recent achievement of reaching the near South Pole of the Moon and potential future collaborations beyond NISAR, such as the Gaganyaan programme. Chairman, ISRO noted the corporation between NASA and ISRO in space endeavours, starting from the launch of the first sounding rocket from India, the discovery of hydroxyl molecules on the Moon by the payloads on board Chandrayaan-1 and the upcoming joint mission of NISAR. He briefed the efforts taken by the Government of India, through space sector reforms, to enable the participation of Indian private entities in national space activities.

As part of the collaboration, the visit to ISRO's UR Rao Satellite Centre included a detailed look at the NISAR satellite, currently undergoing final integration and testing activities.

The joint mission and the first satellite mission between NASA and ISRO, NISAR, holds great promise as a revolutionary Earth-observing instrument that will provide essential information about biomass, natural hazards, sea level rise, and groundwater. This data will play a crucial role in guiding efforts related to climate change, hazard mitigation, agriculture, and more. As part of the collaboration, the visit to ISRO's UR Rao Satellite Centre included a detailed look at the NISAR satellite, currently undergoing final integration and testing activities, along with Chairman Somanath and Director URSC M. Sankaran. An official NASA statement underlined that the visit fulfilled a commitment through the United States and India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology spearheaded by President Joe Biden. "The power of two! Honored to visit ISRO to deepen our partnership, meet with the teams behind our joint NISAR mission, and get a firsthand look at the spacecraft," Nelson shared.

India and the US will launch the joint microwave remote sensing satellite for Earth observation, NISAR, in the first quarter of next year, confirmed India's Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh during a meeting with a high-level delegation of NASA led by its Administrator Nelson who called on him in New Delhi before visiting Bengaluru. NISAR is targeted for launch onboard India's GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle). Data from NISAR will be highly suitable for studying the land ecosystems, deformation of solid earth, mountain & polar cryosphere, sea ice, and coastal oceans on a regional to global scale. It was informed that ISRO's S-band SAR was integrated with NASA's L-band SAR at JPL/NASA and the integrated L&S band SAR is currently undergoing testing with the satellite at URSC, Bengaluru with the participation of NASA/JPL officials.

The joint mission, NISAR, holds great promise as a revolutionary Earth-observing instrument that will provide essential information about biomass, natural hazards, sea level rise, and groundwater.

Congratulating Dr Jitendra Singh for the historic Chandrayaan-3 landing on the virgin South Polar region of the Moon, Nelson urged to expedite the programme related to India's first astronaut aboard a NASA rocket to the International Space Station (ISS). During the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US earlier this year, the two sides agreed to launch a two-week joint India-US Space flight next year. NASA is identifying an opportunity in the Private Astronaut Mission for Indian Astronauts in 2024. Nelson, himself an astronaut who flew with the crew of the 24th Space Shuttle flight onboard 'Columbia' in 1986, also lauded ISRO for having launched 231 satellites from the US, onboard Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

ISRO and NASA have also formed a Joint Working Group (JWG) on Human spaceflight cooperation and are exploring cooperation in radiation impact studies, micro-meteorite & orbital debris shield studies; and space health and medicine aspects. The 8th meeting of the India-USA Joint Working Group on Civil Space Cooperation (CSJWG) was held in Washington DC in January 2023. ISRO/DoS is also in discussion with prominent US industries (like Boeing, Blue Origin & Voyager) on specific cooperation items and also exploring collaborations with Indian commercial entities.

India and the US will launch the joint microwave remote sensing satellite for Earth observation, NISAR, in the first quarter of next year, confirmed Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh

It was also informed that a concept paper on the Implementing Arrangement (IA) is under consideration between ISRO and NASA. After a few iterations, both sides arrived at a mutually agreed draft and the same is processed for intra-governmental approvals. ISRO is also exploring the feasibility of utilising NASA's Hypervelocity Impact Test (HVIT) facility for testing Gaganyaan module Micrometeoroid and orbital debris (MMOD) protection shields. The collaborative efforts extend to discussions with prominent US industries, such as Boeing, Blue Origin, and Voyager, as well as exploring partnerships with Indian commercial entities.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson's visit to India not only strengthened the bond between the two space agencies but also highlighted the immense potential for future collaborations in space exploration, technology, and economic development.