NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) are actively discussing the possibility of sending an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS), following statements from the U.S. ambassador to India. The mission, which aligns with prior commitments from both nations, is tentatively planned for this year.
Ambassador’s Confirmation
On May 22, Eric Garcetti, the U.S. ambassador to India, reaffirmed the intention to send an Indian astronaut to the ISS. This announcement follows a joint statement made in June 2023 after a meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Garcetti stated, “We are going to put an Indian astronaut into the International Space Station this year,” highlighting the mission’s on-track status.
Current Status and Future Plans
Despite the announcement, neither NASA nor ISRO has provided recent formal updates. In February, Prime Minister Modi introduced India’s first group of four astronauts, indicating that three would be part of the Gaganyaan program, slated for no earlier than 2025, and one would participate in the ISS mission. However, specific crew assignments remain unconfirmed.
Julian Coltre, a NASA spokesperson, mentioned that details regarding the potential ISS flight by an ISRO astronaut are still being finalized. “Once that process is complete, NASA will determine the mission timelines and training modules required to fly to the International Space Station,” Coltre explained.
Training and Cooperation Framework
The joint statement from June 2023 detailed that Indian astronauts would receive “advanced training” at NASA’s Johnson Space Center and that a strategic framework for human spaceflight cooperation was to be developed by the end of 2023. However, NASA has not disclosed whether Indian astronauts have begun their training or if the strategic framework is complete.
Potential Flight Opportunities
The most feasible opportunity for an Indian astronaut could be via a private astronaut mission, such as Axiom Space’s Ax-4 mission scheduled for late this year. The Ax-4 mission would involve a short stay at the ISS, up to two weeks, though the crew for this mission has yet to be announced. If an Indian astronaut joins a private mission, NASA’s role would likely be limited to approvals required for ISS flights.
Broader Collaborative Efforts
Garcetti’s remarks came ahead of his meeting with ISRO chief S. Somanath during the U.S.-India Commercial Space Cooperation Conference in Bengaluru. The discussions extended beyond the astronaut mission, touching on various cooperative ventures, including the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) spacecraft launch later this year. Additionally, Garcetti proposed a “Quad” spacecraft involving Australia, India, Japan, and the United States.
ISRO’s Vision for International Cooperation
Somanath emphasized the importance of standardizing docking interfaces across human space programs to facilitate international utilization of space platforms. However, ISRO’s statement did not elaborate further on the specifics of human spaceflight cooperation.
As NASA and ISRO continue to finalize details, the potential flight of an Indian astronaut to the ISS marks a significant milestone in international space cooperation. Both agencies remain committed to their shared vision of human space exploration, with updates anticipated as plans solidify.