North News
New Delhi, December 19
The United States and India are reviewing missile technology exports to create new opportunities for collaboration in space launch technologies. This initiative aims to strengthen bilateral partnerships, particularly in the commercial satellite launch sector. US-India partnership is also an anchor of stability not only in the Indo-Pacific, but increasingly for the world. From Southeast Asia to Africa, US & India can play a leading role in building prosperity, driving development, & contributing to security
Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer, Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, and Indian Ambassador Vinay Kwatra met at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston to reinforce space partnerships across civil, security, and commercial sectors.
This visit builds on the June 2023 commitment by U.S. President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to expand space cooperation. The collaboration includes several key initiatives aimed at enhancing joint capabilities and fostering innovation in the growing space economy.
As part of the partnership, two astronauts from the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will undergo training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. This marks the first joint effort involving American and Indian astronauts at the International Space Station, with the mission scheduled for spring 2025 under Axiom Space’s leadership.
A significant milestone is the completion of a Strategic Framework for Human Spaceflight Cooperation. This framework aims to deepen interoperability between the two nations and pave the way for advanced astronaut training programs. The upcoming NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite launch, set for early 2025, is another highlight. The satellite will provide critical data on Earth’s surface, aiding in disaster prediction, resource management, and addressing global challenges.
Efforts are also underway to establish a space innovation bridge that will promote collaboration between U.S. and Indian startups. This initiative will focus on advancing technologies in satellite systems, space situational awareness, and space exploration.
The partnership extends to defense space cooperation as well. India is set to participate in U.S. Space Command’s annual Global Sentinel exercise and engage in joint challenges under the India-U.S. Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X). These efforts are expected to enhance defense collaboration in the space domain.
