INVC NEWS
Washington: India’s involvement in the Artemis program and its collaboration with the United States and other nations in space exploration is a significant development. Bhavya Lal, the Assistant Administrator for Technology, Policy, and Strategy in the Office of the NASA Administrator, has expressed the hope that India would become the 26th country to sign the Artemis treaty. Lal believes that signing the treaty should be a priority for India.
To enhance India’s participation in the Artemis program, a Human Space Flight Working Group has been established between India and the United States. This group aims to develop strategies and plans for their joint efforts in space exploration. Lal mentioned the upcoming launch of the Nisar (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) mission, which is scheduled for early next year. This mission holds importance, and Lal hopes that it remains on track.
Furthermore, Lal expressed his desire for India to become part of the global community involved in asteroid and comet detection, particularly those that pose a potential threat to Earth. India has been collaborating not only with the United States but also with Japan and France. Lal cited the Nisar mission as an example of successful collaboration, where both India and the United States bring their respective tools to the table, highlighting the equal partnership between the two countries.
While discussing India’s space aspirations, Lal mentioned the Gaganyaan mission, which currently focuses on developing a space capsule. However, he expressed optimism about India eventually establishing its own space station in the future. Lal also shared his personal experience of facing cultural challenges when he initially came to the United States, particularly with English pronunciation. Over time, he has overcome those challenges and now feels comfortable in his role.
In summary, India’s participation in the Artemis program, its collaboration with the United States, and the formation of the Human Space Flight Working Group demonstrate the country’s commitment to space exploration. With ongoing missions like Nisar and future aspirations such as a space station, India aims to contribute significantly to global space endeavors.
