SYLLABUS

GS-3: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life; Awareness in the fields of Space.

Context: NASA has invited the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to join its Moon Base programme during the ninth meeting of the India-US Civil Space Joint Working Group held in Bengaluru, further expanding cooperation between the two countries in lunar exploration and human spaceflight.

About the Moon Base Programme

• NASA’s Moon Base programme aims to establish a sustained human presence near the lunar South Pole, where astronauts will live, work and conduct scientific activities for extended periods.

• The programme was announced during NASA’s ‘Ignition’ event on March 24, 2026, as part of initiatives to advance American leadership in space.

• It is being developed through three phases:

• Phase 1 (Now–2029): Experiment and Learn – robotic missions, technology demonstrations and exploration of the lunar South Pole to understand the environment and establish reliable surface access.
• Phase 2 (2029–2032): Early Habitation – deployment of power, communication, mobility and habitation infrastructure and establishment of initial lunar surface operations.
• Phase 3 (2032 onward): Sustained Human Presence – development of semi-permanent habitats, advanced power and logistics systems and routine crew rotations for extended human operations on the Moon.

• The lunar South Pole is a major focus because permanently shadowed regions are believed to contain water ice, while the region also offers important opportunities for scientific research and testing technologies required for future deep-space missions.

• NASA intends to combine government capabilities, commercial companies and international partners to develop the infrastructure required for sustained lunar operations.

Why Does NASA Want India to Be Part of the Programme?

• Building on the Artemis Accords: India’s participation builds on the Artemis Accords, which India signed in 2023 as the 27th signatory, establishing principles for peaceful, sustainable and responsible space exploration.

• Existing India-US Space Cooperation: NASA and ISRO have already developed substantial cooperation through the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission and human-spaceflight cooperation, including the participation of Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla in the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station.

• The latest meeting also agreed to advance discussions on open scientific data sharing under the Artemis Accords and pursue future cooperation in science and human-spaceflight technologies.

• India’s Lunar Capabilities: India has demonstrated significant lunar exploration capabilities through the Chandrayaan programme, particularly Chandrayaan-3’s successful soft landing in the lunar South Polar region in 2023.

• Complementary Space Ambitions: India is itself pursuing an ambitious human-spaceflight and lunar exploration roadmap, including Gaganyaan, the Bharatiya Antariksha Station, and a planned crewed lunar mission by 2040.

• Bringing India into the programme can therefore combine ISRO’s lunar expertise and technological capabilities with NASA’s larger lunar architecture and international partnership framework.

Significance of the Moon Base Programme

• Establishing a Sustained Human Presence: The programme aims to establish a sustained human presence near the Moon’s South Pole, where astronauts will live, work and conduct scientific activities for extended periods.

• Advancing Lunar Science: A sustained lunar presence can enable long-duration studies of the Moon’s geology, resources and environment and improve understanding of the early history of the Moon and the Solar System.

• Utilising Lunar Resources: Exploration of the lunar South Pole can help study and utilise resources such as water ice found in permanently shadowed regions.

• Developing Space Technologies: The programme can drive advances in robotics, autonomous systems, lunar mobility, communications, power generation and habitation systems required for sustained lunar operations.

• Preparing for Deep-Space Exploration: Technologies and operational experience developed on the Moon can serve as a stepping stone for future Mars missions and other deep-space exploration.