NASA Chief Weighs in on PM Modi’s Potential as India’s Next Astronaut

NASA Chief: PM Modi Could Be India’s Next Astronaut, Says Flying to Space is a Valuable Experience

New Delhi: NASA chief Bill Nelson, who is also a senator, has stated in an interview with NDTV that flying into space is a valuable experience for any politician. He mentioned that the US space agency will train an Indian astronaut to fly to the International Space Station for a two-week scientific mission at the end of next year.

When asked if Prime Minister Narendra Modi could be an astronaut, Mr. Nelson, who is currently visiting India, pointed out that he had flown on a space shuttle as a politician and referred to PM Modi as a “space aficionado”.

“Flying into space is a valuable experience for any politician, much more so for a head of state… From space, there are no political boundaries, no religious boundaries or racial boundaries… One is a citizen of Earth,” he added.

Mr. Nelson also mentioned that India needs to determine its role in the Artemis Programme, which aims to live on the Moon to prepare for human missions to Mars. As part of this project, NASA plans to send the first woman and the first person of color to the Moon.

He further expressed that India can be an “active partner as we venture in the cosmos as star sailors on the cosmic sea”. When asked about NASA’s expectations from India for the Artemis project, Mr. Nelson stated that there will be numerous opportunities for international cooperation on moon missions, but the specifics are yet to be decided. He emphasized that the US is going to the Moon and then to Mars for sustained presence, and many nations are interested in collaborations.

The Artemis program is not the only project in collaboration between NASA and India. The NISAR satellite, or the “NASA ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar Satellite,” is another significant venture. It is operated under a NASA-ISRO equal partnership and will lift off from Sriharikota in the first quarter of 2024. The satellite will play a crucial role in monitoring climate change and earth deformation by providing composite 3D images of the planet.

Overall, the NASA chief’s visit to India and his discussions regarding India’s participation in the Artemis program and other space collaborations highlight the growing potential for India’s space exploration endeavors.