250+
mock exams
39,817
tests completed
5,95,657
questions answered
During the ninth meeting of the India-U.S. Civil Space Joint Working Group (CSJWG) in Bengaluru, formally invited to participate in its ambitious Moon Base programme. This programme, operating under the , aims to establish a permanent human presence at the lunar south pole for long-term scientific exploration and habitation.
The invitation to join the Moon Base programme is a significant indicator of the deepening strategic partnership between India and the United States in the domain of space exploration. This collaboration is partly driven by the need to counter the growing space ambitions of China, which, along with Russia, has announced its own plans for an International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). By aligning with the US-led Artemis Accords, India secures a seat at the table in shaping the future norms of lunar exploration and resource utilization. This strategic alignment enhances India's geopolitical standing and demonstrates its commitment to a rules-based order in outer space, as opposed to potential unilateral actions by competing powers. UPSC often focuses on how bilateral space cooperation translates into broader strategic leverage.
From a scientific perspective, participation in the Moon Base programme offers ISRO unprecedented access to advanced technologies, particularly in the areas of human spaceflight, life support systems, and lunar habitat construction. India's previous successes, notably the Chandrayaan-3 mission which successfully landed near the lunar south pole, have proven its capabilities in precise navigation and landing, making it a valuable partner. The collaboration will likely involve joint development of scientific instruments, sharing of data, and potentially, the training of Indian astronauts (Gaganyatris) for future lunar missions. This aligns perfectly with India's own Gaganyaan mission goals and will significantly accelerate its technological learning curve, transforming it from a regional space power to a key player in deep space exploration.
The foundation of this collaboration is the Artemis Accords, a non-binding set of principles designed to guide space exploration cooperation among nations participating in NASA's 21st-century lunar exploration plans. India's signing of the Accords signifies its agreement to principles such as peaceful exploration, transparency, the release of scientific data, and the extraction and utilization of space resources in compliance with the Outer Space Treaty of 1967. This raises important questions about international space law, specifically regarding property rights and the commercial exploitation of lunar resources. UPSC aspirants must understand the nuances of the Artemis Accords versus the Outer Space Treaty and the Moon Agreement of 1979, analyzing how these frameworks attempt to govern the complex future of space commercialization and resource extraction.