Indian Astronaut Mission To International Space Station, ISRO-NASA's NISAR Project Set For 2024 Launch: US Envoy

US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, announced that an Indian astronaut will be sent to the International Space Station (ISS) by the end of this year.

Speaking on the sidelines of an event marking the 248th Independence Day of the United States, Garcetti highlighted ongoing US-India space collaboration.

"We are going to put an Indian astronaut into the International Space Station this year," Garcetti stated, PTI reported.

He reaffirmed a promise made during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US in 2023, indicating that the mission remains on track for a launch this year.

Additionally, Garcetti said the forthcoming launch of the NISAR project, a joint Earth-observing mission between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is also expected by the end of the year.

Garcetti emphasised the importance of US-India cooperation in research and critical emerging technologies, suggesting that leveraging each other's strengths can lead to significant advancements.

He cited India's cost-effective lunar mission, Chandrayaan 3, as an example of successful space endeavours.

Regarding civilian nuclear energy, Garcetti expressed optimism about resolving liability issues post-elections in India.

He indicated that the Indian government could then progress with US companies in building nuclear reactors at designated sites in Mithi Virdhi, Gujarat, and Kovadda, Andhra Pradesh.

The US companies have previously raised concerns about the Civil Liability Nuclear Damage Act 2010, which mandates prompt compensation for nuclear incident victims through a no-fault liability regime.

Also Read: 'Giving Government Lands To Waqf Boards': PM Modi Slams 'Khan Market Gang' After Calcutta HC Scraps OBC Certificates