The Embassy of India in Washington, D.C., hosted an event titled “India-USA Space Collaboration: The Frontiers of a Futuristic Partnership” on September 15, 2025, at India House.

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams, Nick Hague, and Butch Wilmore, along with India’s Gaganyatri (astronaut) Shubhanshu Shukla, who joined virtually, participated in a panel discussion, “Moments in Orbit.” The astronauts shared their personal journeys, including their paths to becoming astronauts, experiences in space, and reflections on the evolution of space travel.

The event drew key representatives from government, space agencies, industry, think tanks, and academia. According to the Embassy, it highlighted decades of robust India-U.S. cooperation in space exploration and celebrated recent achievements such as the launch of the NISAR satellite and the Axiom Mission-4, which carried Gaganyatri Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station.

Ambassador of India to the United States, Vinay Kwatra, addressed the gathering, offering insights into the legacy and future goals of India’s space program while emphasizing the potential for expanded collaboration between the governments and industries of both nations.

Dr. Karen St. Germain, Director of the Earth Science Division at NASA, delivered a talk titled “Observing Together with NISAR,” where she reflected on NASA and ISRO’s joint efforts during the mission.

The Embassy noted that the event underscored milestones in India-U.S. space collaboration, highlighted ongoing missions and programs, and explored opportunities for the commercial space sector, as well as future human spaceflight missions to the Moon and Mars. 

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