India and the United States have strengthened their space cooperation by finalizing the Strategic Framework for Human Spaceflight Cooperation. This agreement aims to boost interoperability in space and facilitate the advanced training of ISRO astronauts at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. The countries are also exploring opportunities for India’s participation in the Lunar Gateway Programme, which aims to establish a space station around the moon as part of the US-led Artemis programme.
During the iCET Dialogue, US National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan and Indian National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval discussed securing a carrier for the joint mission between NASA and ISRO astronauts at the International Space Station. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the India-US space partnership and space exploration efforts.
The discussions also underscored the growing defence space cooperation between the two nations. The second Advanced Domains Defense Dialogue held at the Pentagon in May included a bilateral space table-top exercise and expert exchanges on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Additionally, India and the US are preparing for the launch of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, a jointly developed satellite designed to map the Earth’s surface twice every 12 days. This satellite will aid in addressing climate change and other global challenges.
The iCET talks also saw the initiation of a new partnership between the US Space Force and Indian startups 114ai and 3rdiTech. This collaboration focuses on enhancing space situational awareness, data fusion technologies, and infra-red sensor semiconductor manufacturing. Both sides welcomed India’s observation of the US Space Command’s Global Sentinel Exercise at Vandenburg Space Force Base in February and its planned return as a participant in 2025.
