An Indian Astronaut Will Be Sent to International Space Station in 2024

New Delhi: India and the US on Friday said they plan to send an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station in 2024. Both countries have started talks to develop a strategic framework for human space flight by the end of 2023.

US President Joe Biden during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated on the historic landing of Chandrayaan-3 at the south polar region of the Moon and the success of Aditya-L1 solar mission.

“Determined to deepen our partnership in outer space exploration, ISRO and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have commenced discussions on modalities, capacity building, and training for mounting a joint effort to the International Space Station in 2024, and are continuing efforts to finalise a strategic framework for human space flight cooperation by the end of 2023,” said a joint statement issued after the 52-minute talks between the two leaders.

During PM Modi’s US visit in June, Biden had announced India and the US were collaborating to send an astronaut to the international space station in 2024.

“India and the United States also intend to increase coordination on planetary defence to protect planet Earth and space assets from the impact of asteroids and near-Earth objects, including US support for India’s participation in asteroid detection and tracking via the Minor Planet Center,” the joint statement said.