India is taking another big step towards becoming a major player in lunar exploration. NASA has invited the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to join its Moon Base programme, opening the door to deeper India-US cooperation in future Moon missions. The invitation was made during the ninth India-US Civil Space Joint Working Group meeting held at ISRO headquarters in Bengaluru on 5 and 6 August 2026.
What is NASA’s Moon Base programme?
NASA’s Moon Base programme aims to build a long-term human presence near the Moon’s South Pole. Instead of astronauts visiting the Moon only for short missions, a lunar base could allow astronauts and robots to stay, work and conduct scientific research for longer periods.
The Moon’s South Pole is especially interesting to scientists because water ice may be present in permanently shadowed areas. If accessible, this water could potentially provide drinking water and be separated into hydrogen and oxygen for rocket propellant. The base could also help scientists and engineers learn how to support people on the Moon before attempting even longer journeys, including future missions to Mars.
What could India’s role be?
India’s exact role has not yet been decided. NASA and ISRO will need to discuss what India could contribute to the programme, including science, technology, human spaceflight and other areas. The invitation builds on the growing partnership between the two countries. India signed the Artemis Accords in 2023, which set out principles for peaceful and responsible exploration of the Moon and beyond. India was the 27th country to sign the accords.
India has already made history with Chandrayaan-3, which successfully landed near the Moon’s South Pole in 2023. ISRO is also developing its own human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan, and India has a long-term goal of sending an Indian astronaut to the Moon by 2040.
For India, joining the Moon Base programme could provide new opportunities to work with NASA on lunar science, technology and human spaceflight. It could also help build skills needed for India’s own future plans for exploring the Moon.
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