KOLKATA, APR 2: The possibility of the US based National Aeronautics and Space Agency(NASA)and the Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO)joining hands for intensifying the activities of international space research has become brighter with both the agencies trying to come to an agreement soon.
This view was expressed here today by Indian American astronaut Captain Sunita Williams while talking to reporters during her two day visit to the city where she also took part in an interactive session with the young students about her long experience in space.
Capt Williams who arrived in India yesterday on an invitation from the National Council of Science Museum of the union ministry of Culture to address school students of Delhi,Kolkata and Mumbai,said since the scientific community of both India and the United States had been enjoying a very cordial and close relationship for the past many years now and had already joined hands in many other fields of scientific research and development activities, there was also every possibility that in terms of a more intensive research in space technology they would work as close partners.
But without going into any further detail of the issue,she regretted that despite India making great strides in scientific and space research and development it was yet to become a member or a signatory to the International Space Station programme like the USA, Russia, UK,France,China and Canada.
Narrating her unique experience during 322 long day stay in the International space station,hovering more than 600 km above earth at a speed of over 35,000 km per hour,Captain Williams said apart from completing her responsibilities in the space station as the chief flight engineer, she had spent most of her time watching the amazing mother earth from the window and be mesmerised by it. (UNI)