Following Rakesh Sharma groundbreaking space journey in 1984, an Indian citizen is poised to embark on the first space travel experience since. Anticipated to occur as early as next year, the United States has pledged support by providing training and facilitating the journey of an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station. This announcement was made by Nasa administrator Bill Nelson on Tuesday, with the mission set to be realized by the conclusion of 2024.
Nasa Administrator Bill Nelson, currently on a multi-city visit to India to strengthen Indo-US space collaboration, shared that the specifics of the upcoming mission are being meticulously worked out by the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro). Highlighting India as a significant partner for the United States, especially in future astronaut activities in space, Nelson praised India’s achievement as the first country to successfully land on the Moon’s south pole. During his visit, Nelson led a high-level US delegation that met with space minister Jitendra Singh to extend congratulations for the historic Chandrayaan-3 landing.
Stepping up collaboration, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Administrator Bill Nelson on Tuesday said the US was open to helping India build its own space station.
On a visit to India, Nelson said the US and India were working on plans to send an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station by the end of next year, while the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch the state-of-the-art joint venture satellite with NASA NISAR in the first quarter of 2024.
Nelson met Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh here and discussed strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the space sector. Rakesh Sharma groundbreaking
“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,” an official statement from the science and technology ministry said.
During the meeting, the two leaders also discussed US President Joe Biden’s offer to send an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station in 2024.
“The selection of astronaut is determined by ISRO. NASA will not make the selection,” Nelson said in an interaction with reporters here.