India and US Discuss Plans for Indian Astronaut’s Trip to International Space Station: 10 Key Points

India and the US are currently in the initial phases of discussions to create a strategic framework for collaborating on human spaceflight. Their shared objective is to send an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS) by 2024, which would mark a noteworthy achievement in the field of space exploration. Additionally, the two countries are broadening their partnership in areas such as planetary defense, telecommunications, quantum technology, and education. Here are ten key points to be aware of:

1. India and the US have started talks to create a strategic framework for human spaceflight, with the aim of sending an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2024.

2. US President Joe Biden congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the successful Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission and Aditya-L1 solar mission.

3. Discussions are underway between the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and NASA on capacity building, training and other modalities related to the joint effort to send an Indian astronaut to the ISS.

4. The leaders plan to finalize the strategic framework for human spaceflight cooperation by the end of 2023.

5. Both countries are increasing their coordination in planetary defense, including asteroid detection and tracking, and the US supports India’s participation in this effort.

6. The Commercial Space Cooperation Working Group will be established by the current Civil Space Working Group between India and the United States.

7. Cooperation in the quantum field is emphasized as Indian institutions join international quantum cooperation.

8. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Bharat 6G Alliance and the Next G Alliance to promote public-private cooperation in the field of telecommunications.

9. Joint working groups have been formed for Open RAN cooperation and research and development of 5G/6G technologies.

10. Partnerships in science, technology and education, including the establishment of the India-US Global Challenges Institute, will promote cooperation in various fields including sustainable energy, health, telecommunications and quantum science.