From NISAR Satellite To Astronaut Training: NASA Chief's India Visit Spotlights Collaborations With "Leader In Space" India

Bill Nelson, the administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), is set to visit the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Thursday (30 November).

He will be seeing the NASA-ISRO low-earth-orbit observatory in the company of Rakesh Sharma, India's first astronaut.

The head of NASA is currently visiting India.

Nelson is set to tour the U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) in Bengaluru. This is where the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite is currently being tested in preparation for its planned 2024 launch.

The NASA Administrator has identified the NISAR mission as a prime example of the beneficial collaboration between the United States (US) and India in space research, directly helping people on Earth.

The data gathered from NISAR will enable the world to more effectively manage natural resources and hazards. Additionally, it will supply scientists with valuable information to comprehend the impacts and progression of climate change more accurately.

Specifically, the collaborative NASA-ISRO Earth-observing mission will aid scientists in investigating the impact of alterations in Earth's forest and wetland ecosystems on the global carbon cycle, and how they are contributing to climate change.

In another notable development, Nelson said that by the end of 2024, the US is committed to assisting in the training and dispatch of an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS).

ISRO Chief S Somanath has confirmed that in line with discussions held during a meeting between the Prime Minister of India and the US President, Indian astronauts will be trained at US facilities and will journey to the International Space Station using American technology.

The entire programme is planned to be executed in a way that is beneficial for India, he said.

Nelson's visit to India is set to honour a commitment that forms part of the US-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology, a project initiated by US President Joe Biden.

After he touched down in India, the NASA chief said in an X post that he was "ready to embark on a week of engaging meetings and events to grow" the NASA-ISRO partnership.

"India is a leader in space and we're looking forward to a productive visit," he said.

Nelson also engaged in a discussion with students at the Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum in Bengaluru on Wednesday (29 November).

"It was a great honor to speak with students in Bengaluru today with Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian to fly to space. His story lit up the room!" Nelson said on X.