NASA invites ISRO to join its Moon Base programme

• NASA has invited the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to join its Moon Base programme, building on the two countries’ partnership under the Artemis Accords.

• The project is aimed at setting up a permanent habitat on the lunar surface for astronauts to live, work, and explore through a series of crewed and uncrewed missions.

• The invitation was an outcome of the 9th meeting of the India-US Civil Space Joint Working Group (CSJWG) hosted at the headquarters of the ISRO in Bengaluru. 

Highlights of the meeting:

• The meeting advanced civil and commercial space cooperation under the US-India Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology (TRUST) Initiative, in line with the February 2025 Joint Leaders’ Statement issued by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump.

• Both sides discussed expanding cooperation following the successful launch of the joint NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission in 2025, as well as pursuing future science and human space flight technology collaborations.

• They reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) guidelines on the long-term sustainability of outer space activities, as well as reviewed ongoing multilateral efforts for ensuring the Committee’s effectiveness. 

Moon Base Programme

• The Moon Base is humanity’s first lunar outpost, a place where astronauts will live, work, and explore near the Moon’s South Pole. 

• Through a series of crewed and uncrewed missions, NASA and its partners will build the infrastructure needed to support a sustained human presence on the Moon, unlock new scientific discoveries, and prepare for future exploration of Mars. 

• The South Pole region offers unique opportunities for exploration, discovery, and long-term human presence. 

• This remote frontier may hold resources that can help support future explorers and answer important questions about the history of the Moon, Earth, and our solar system.

Three phases of development

The Moon Base will be built step by step using a phased approach. 

Phase One (2026-2029): The first phase focuses on gaining reliable access to the lunar surface and building a deeper understanding of the environment. Robotic missions will explore the lunar South Pole, demonstrate new technologies, and gather the knowledge needed to guide future development. By expanding experience landing and operating on the Moon, NASA will identify promising locations for future infrastructure, improve mission capabilities, and reduce risk before astronauts arrive.

Phase Two (2029-2032): Building on what is learned during Phase One, NASA will begin deploying the first infrastructure needed to support long-term operations on the Moon. Early power systems, cargo transportation, logistics, and communications capabilities will expand humanity’s footprint on the Moon and enable increasingly complex missions. By establishing infrastructure across multiple locations, NASA will create a flexible and resilient foundation that can support continued exploration and future expansion of the Moon Base.

Phase Three (2032 and Beyond): With the Moon Base’s foundational infrastructure in place, NASA will begin assembling a permanent lunar outpost where astronauts can live and work for extended periods. Habitats, power systems, communications, transportation, and other critical capabilities will come together to support an enduring human presence near the Moon’s South Pole. As the Moon Base grows and evolves, it will enable increasingly ambitious scientific research, technology demonstrations, and exploration, while helping prepare humanity for future journeys deeper into the solar system.