ISRO-NASA to Launch Joint Space Mission in 2024 | Top Points

In a momentous development during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's inaugural State visit to the United States, India has officially become a signatory of the Artemis Accords. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have forged an agreement to embark on a joint mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2024. This collaborative venture will witness the convergence of expertise and resources from both nations in a remarkable journey towards the ISS.

"On space, we will be able to announce that India is signing the Artemis Accords, which advance a common vision for space exploration for the benefit of all humankind," news agency PTI quoted a senior administration official as saying, ahead of Modi's meeting and US President Joe Biden in the Oval Office.

What are the Artemis Accords?

NASA has introduced the Artemis Accords, a set of guiding principles that draw inspiration from the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 (OST). According to NASA, these accords are designed to shape and govern the exploration and utilization of outer space in the modern era.

Although the Artemis Accords are non-binding, they represent a collaborative effort led by the United States with the goal of facilitating a manned return to the moon by 2025, as part of the ambitious Artemis program. However, the accords extend beyond lunar missions, outlining a broader vision that includes human presence and exploration in destinations such as Mars and other celestial bodies.

The primary objective of the Artemis Accords is to establish a framework that promotes peaceful and cooperative civil space exploration activities in the 21st century. By fostering international collaboration, the accords seek to ensure that space exploration remains a collective endeavor, characterized by transparency, safety, and the responsible use of resources.

As of May 2023, the number of signatories to the Artemis Accords stands at 25, representing a diverse range of countries. These signatories include the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Italy, Canada, Brazil, Australia, Bahrain, Colombia, the Czech Republic, France, Israel, Luxembourg, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, Nigeria, Poland, the Republic of Korea, Romania, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Ukraine, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).