NASA invites ISRO to join Moon Base programme

Moon Base programme lunar exploration Artemis Accords space cooperation ISRO

NASA has invited the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to participate in its Moon Base programme, which aims to establish a permanent human habitat near the lunar South Pole. The invitation was extended during the 9th meeting of the India-US Civil Space Joint Working Group held in Bengaluru on August 5-6, 2026.

This collaboration builds upon the existing partnership under the Artemis Accords, which India joined in 2023. The two nations also agreed to advance discussions on sharing open scientific data and expanding cooperation in human spaceflight technology and commercial space activities. These efforts are supported by the US-India Transforming the Relationship Utilising Strategic Technology (TRUST) initiative.

The Moon Base project is envisioned as a series of crewed and uncrewed missions to facilitate long-term lunar presence and prepare for future Mars exploration. Reports indicate the first phase of the lunar settlement plan could cost approximately $10 billion and continue through 2028.

Entities

Artemis Accords · Bengaluru · ISRO · NASA · Sergio Gor

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 2 SOURCES] The first phase of the Moon Base project is expected to cost approximately $10 billion and run until 2028. www.haberankara.com · www.aydinlik.com.tr
[● 3 SOURCES] The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission was successfully launched in 2025. www.news18.com · in.mashable.com · morungexpress.com
[● 5 SOURCES] Space cooperation is being advanced under the US-India Transforming the Relationship Utilising Strategic Technology (TRUST) initiative. www.news18.com · english.mathrubhumi.com · in.mashable.com · www.latestly.com · morungexpress.com
[● 5 SOURCES] The Moon Base mission aims to establish a permanent habitat near the lunar South Pole for astronauts. www.news18.com · www.haberankara.com · www.aydinlik.com.tr · in.mashable.com · odishabytes.com
[● 9 SOURCES] NASA has invited the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to join its Moon Base programme. www.news18.com · www.haberankara.com · www.aydinlik.com.tr · english.mathrubhumi.com · in.mashable.com · +4 more
[● 9 SOURCES] The 9th India-US Civil Space Joint Working Group meeting was held in Bengaluru on August 5 and 6, 2026. www.news18.com · www.haberankara.com · www.aydinlik.com.tr · english.mathrubhumi.com · in.mashable.com · +4 more
[● 9 SOURCES] The invitation builds on the existing partnership between the US and India under the Artemis Accords. www.news18.com · www.haberankara.com · www.aydinlik.com.tr · english.mathrubhumi.com · in.mashable.com · +4 more
[● 9 SOURCES] The US and India agreed to advance discussions regarding the sharing of open scientific data. www.news18.com · www.haberankara.com · www.aydinlik.com.tr · english.mathrubhumi.com · in.mashable.com · +4 more