Desperate US wants to be part of India’s first manned space mission

National Aeronautics & Space Administration (Nasa) is trying hard prevent India’s first manned space mission, tagged at Rs10,000 crore,  from being indigenous. And India does not seem to have a problem.

Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and US’ Nasa are amid discussions to collaborate on India’s first space mission in low-earth orbit — a mission which will be launched after 2017 as it awaits the Centre’s approval.

As per Isro sources, Nasa and US space department officials are pushing for the collaboration through Deviprasad Karnik, India’s space attache at its embassy in Washington.

DNA has learnt that US’ desperation emanates from pressure from within their country to restart its manned space mission, which it suspended in 1972 citing huge costs. This follows a review of Nasa’s manned space programme conducted by a 10-member US presidential panel.

An Isro scientist told DNA collaboration on India’s manned space mission will benefit India and US. “Nasa is struggling for a higher budget to conduct human space exploration,” he said.