Chandrayaan-3 Study in Nature Links Shiv Shakti Point Soil to First Lunar Meteorite Calcalong Creek

NASA Invites ISRO to Join Moon Base Program Under Artemis Accords for Lunar South Pole Outpost

NASA has formally invited ISRO to join its ambitious Moon Base programme, aiming to build humanity's first lunar outpost near the South Pole. This invitation, extended during the 9th India-U.S. Civil Space Joint Working Group meeting in Bengaluru, deepens bilateral space collaboration under the Artemis Accords and the TRUST initiative. For UPSC aspirants, this is a crucial topic for Science & Tech and International Relations, with potential prelims questions on the Artemis Accords, CSJWG, and lunar South Pole.

India's Space Launch Cost Highest at $13,302/kg; Study Cites ISRO's Small Rocket Fleet & Infrequent Launches

A peer-reviewed study published in Economics Letters reveals that India's per-kilogram cost to send payload to low-earth orbit is the highest among major spacefaring nations at $13,302, contradicting its reputation for low-cost launches. The high cost is attributed to ISRO's reliance on small rockets and insufficient launch frequency, preventing economies of scale.

NASA Invites ISRO to Moon Base Programme; Target 2030 Near Lunar South Pole

NASA has invited ISRO to join its Moon Base programme, aiming to build a human outpost near the Moon’s south pole by ~2030. This deepens India-U.S. space ties under the Artemis Accords but also creates a strategic dilemma as China’s rival ILRS (target 2035) pulls India into competing technological ecosystems.

ISRO-JAXA Joint Chandrayaan-5 (LUPEX) Mission for 2028: Lander by India, Rover by Japan, 7 Scientific Payloads

India and Japan are advancing the Chandrayaan-5 (LUPEX) joint mission to the Moon, scheduled for 2028. This is a first-of-its-kind joint rover mission where ISRO builds the lander and JAXA develops the rover, with NASA and ESA contributing payloads. The mission aims to study lunar water and water-ice for 100 days, marking a significant step in global lunar exploration cooperation.

India's First Private Orbital Rocket Vikram-1 Launched July 18; Gaganyaan Parachute Test Qualified

India's first privately developed orbital rocket Vikram-1, built by Skyroot Aerospace, was successfully launched on July 18, 2026, from Sriharikota under 'Mission Aagaman', making India only the third country globally to achieve private orbital launch capability. The article also covers new IN-SPACe re-entry guidelines, Gaganyaan mission progress (SOLVE motor test, IMAT-05 parachute test, crew module qualification), and a Tracxn report revealing SpaceTech funding concentration. Critical for UPSC: space sector reforms, private participation, and ISRO's human spaceflight milestones.

Astrobase Unveils 800kN FFSC Rocket Engine EVEREST – India's First Private FFSC Engine

India has become the fourth nation to develop Full-Flow Staged Combustion (FFSC) rocket engine technology. Bengaluru-based Astrobase Space Technologies unveiled the 800kN EVEREST engine, making India self-reliant in advanced rocket propulsion crucial for reusable launch vehicles. This development positions India's private space industry as a global competitor and is highly relevant for Science & Tech sections of all exams.

NASA Invites ISRO to Join Moon Base Programme Under Artemis Accords; Lunar South Pole Outpost Planned

NASA has formally invited ISRO to join its ambitious Moon Base programme under the Artemis Accords, aiming to establish a human outpost at the lunar south pole. This marks a significant step in India-U.S. civil space cooperation and opens up new opportunities for Indian space research and technology.

ISRO Joins NASA Moon Base Programme: Artemis Accords Strategic Partnership for Lunar Research

India has been invited to join NASA's Moon Base programme, a permanent lunar research station. As an early signatory of the Artemis Accords, ISRO stands to gain valuable experience, leapfrog technology development, and fast-track its human spaceflight and lunar exploration goals while avoiding massive independent costs.