India, US to join hands on Moon base, expanding global space economy

US Ambassador Sergio Gor urged Indian space startups to explore the American market, while Isro called for greater private and international participation

India and the United States (US) will collaborate to expand the space economy and join the Moon Base programme, US Ambassador Sergio Gor announced on Monday, while inviting Indian startups to explore opportunities within the American market.

 

"We are going back to the Moon and we want India by our side on the lunar surface," Gor said, addressing the Bengaluru Space Expo 2026. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) has officially invited the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) to join its Moon Base programme.

 

This comes as India has set a target of launching up to 300 more satellites from 56 now in the next seven years, and plans to land its first astronauts on the Moon by the year 2040. India is also increasing its global tieups in the space sector. "Not even the sky is the limit… let us work towards space economy, let us return to the Moon together," he said at the inaugural session of the expo, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in association with ISRO, IN-SPACe and NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL) till September 9. 

 

 

"India's bold space sector reforms ignited an awakening of the private sector. Innovators like Pixxel, GalaxEye, Skyroot, and AgniKul Cosmos are making giant leaps. Our ecosystem is watching you and we are going to help you make that leap," Gor said.

 

Launched in 2025, the India-US NISAR satellite mission is already transforming global Earth observation by providing critical data for climate research, disaster management, and resource monitoring. "When a devastating earthquake struck Venezuela just two months ago, NISAR's radar data penetrated dense cloud cover and dust to guide emergency responders directly to ground zero. That is an example of what great things can happen when we work together. That is joint technology saving human lives in real time,” Gor added.

 

Isro Chairman V Narayanan also said that the country needs more contributions from foreign tieups, more industry partners, startups, and academia to take forward the country's share in the global space economy from the current 2 per cent. "Success of the space programme is because of the partnership of industry and academia. We have excellent cooperation with over 60 international partners. Since 1980, we could lift off 434 foreign satellites with Indian rockets. That shows our commitment to international collaboration," Narayanan added.

 

He also batted for increased private-sector participation, technological advancement, ambitious missions, and international cooperation. "Whenever a rocket lifts off — a PSLV, GSLV or LVM3 rocket — 8 per cent of the budget goes to Indian industries. That means the success of the Indian space programme is because of the partnership with Indian industries and academia," he said.

 

Narayanan said that Isro is targeting six more missions this year, including the first uncrewed flight for the Gaganyaan mission. "In the 1980s, we used to have a launch once in three years, then once in two years. Today we are launching once in a month. But the need is around 50 launches per year. So, we all have to work together," he said.

 

IN-SPACe Chairman Pawan Goenka said the country is targeting a complete space ecosystem, including Isro, IN-SPACe, NSIL, academia, and private companies. "We are building an open ecosystem, the moment the world seeks supply chain. Our startups have earned a third of their order pipeline from international partners," Goenka said.

 

BSX 2026 has attracted participation from over 300 companies from 15 countries, along with more than 120 speakers and 15,000 delegates and visitors.