During his visit to the Indian Space Research Organisation-ISRO headquarters, US Ambassador Eric Garcetti engaged in a series of significant discussions aimed at expanding cooperation between Bharat and the United States across various domains of space exploration and technology.
In a delegation meeting with ISRO Chairman S Somanath, Garcetti proposed the development of a “QUAD satellite,” suggesting collaboration among Australia, Japan, the US, and Bharat. This initiative signifies a potential avenue for enhanced cooperation in space exploration and satellite technology among QUAD member countries.
The discussions also delved into potential cooperative projects, including the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (Nisar) mission’s advanced imaging spectrometer satellite construction. Additionally, Bharat’s proposal for a G 20 satellite focused on climate change and environmental monitoring was explored, alongside discussions on leveraging Bharat’s Gaganyaan cargo module for supply missions to the International Space Station.
Highlighting prospects for advancements in space technology, Chairman Somanath emphasised the potential for US-Bharat academic collaboration in sophisticated detectors and electronics packaging. Standardising docking interfaces across human spaceflight programs was also highlighted to facilitate broader utilisation of space platforms.
Efforts to enhance exploration missions were discussed, including the possibility of joint initiatives to establish navigation architecture on the lunar surface or in lunar orbit.
The discussions concluded with a shared commitment to deepen the US-Indian space relationship and explore new joint ventures within the civilian space program. Both sides expressed optimism about the potential for continued cooperation and collaboration in space exploration and technology.
Reflecting on ISRO’s achievements, Ambassador Garcetti expressed admiration for Bharat’s contributions to space exploration and accentuated the importance of the partnership between Bharat and the US in advancing the frontiers of discovery.
Ambassador Garcetti and Chairman Somanath participated in the Bharat-US Space Cooperation Conference held in the city, advocating for increased collaboration between the two nations in the field of space exploration and technology.
