25 Years After Pokhran Sanctions, US Rolls Out Red Carpet for ISRO Astronauts

In a landmark development in Indo-US relations, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has dispatched Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair to the United States. They are set to participate in the Axiom-4 spaceflight mission, a significant step in their training for the International Space Station (ISS). This mission will see four astronauts, including the Indian representatives, journey to the ISS aboard SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket and Crew Dragon space module, with the launch anticipated to occur next year.

Group Captain Shukla will serve as the primary astronaut for the Axiom mission, while Group Captain Nair will act as the backup. Both astronauts, part of India's ambitious Gaganyaan Mission, have been rigorously trained in Russia as cosmonauts and bring a wealth of experience as Air Force pilots.

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NASA Administrator Bill Nelson expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming collaboration, stating, "We look forward to welcoming the first ISRO astronaut to the International Space Station. This marks a monumental advancement in the U.S.-India partnership in space." Ken Bowersox, Associate Administrator of NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate, added that this move signifies an expanded role for NASA in welcoming astronauts from a broader array of nations and advancing scientific research in space.

The partnership between NASA and ISRO represents a dramatic turnaround from the 1990s, when the US imposed sanctions on India following the Pokhran nuclear tests and blocked the transfer of advanced cryogenic technology. Relations began to improve in 2008 when India and NASA collaborated on the Chandrayaan-1 mission, which discovered water molecules on the Moon. Since then, the two space agencies have deepened their cooperation.

Axiom Space, the commercial intermediary facilitating this mission, has praised the historic agreement with ISRO. Matt Ondler, Axiom Space's President, highlighted India's impressive space achievements, including the Chandrayaan missions and the Gaganyaan project, which have made India a prominent player in the global space arena. Axiom Space, which has conducted several private missions to the ISS, sees this agreement as a pivotal moment for enhancing collaboration and fostering innovation in space exploration.

This partnership may also pave the way for further cooperation on NASA's Artemis program, aimed at establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon, underscoring the growing synergy between the US and India's space programs.

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