The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the European Space Agency (ESA) have signed an agreement to enhance collaboration in human space exploration, astronaut training, and mission implementation.
Key Details
- Agreement Overview:
- Signed by ISRO Chairman S. Somanath and ESA Director General Dr. Josef Aschbacher, the agreement establishes a framework for cooperative activities focusing on:
- Astronaut training.
- Experiment development and integration.
- Use of ESA facilities on the International Space Station (ISS).
- Human and biomedical research experiments.
- Educational and outreach initiatives.
- Signed by ISRO Chairman S. Somanath and ESA Director General Dr. Josef Aschbacher, the agreement establishes a framework for cooperative activities focusing on:
- Axiom-4 Mission Collaboration:
- ISRO’s Gaganyatri and an ESA astronaut will be part of the crew for the Axiom-4 mission.
- The agencies are working to implement experiments proposed by Indian Principal Investigators for the ISS.
- Participation includes human physiological studies, technology demonstration experiments, and joint educational outreach activities.
- Future Roadmap:
- S. Somanath highlighted ISRO’s vision for human spaceflight, including the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), which is aimed at fostering interoperability between human spaceflight platforms.
- Dr. Aschbacher emphasized the strategic significance of the agreement, noting it as a robust foundation for ongoing and future collaborations.
- Progress and Vision:
- Both ISRO and ESA leadership expressed satisfaction with the progress made for the Axiom-4 mission.
- They underscored the importance of continued partnership in advancing human space exploration capabilities.
This agreement marks a significant milestone in strengthening international collaboration, bolstering ISRO’s growing expertise in human spaceflight, and leveraging ESA’s extensive experience in space exploration.