Thirty-five international locations, senior officers from house companies representing China, Japan, Canada and Europe, over 1,700 delegates and ten astronauts representing varied international locations or corporations had descended upon New Delhi to take part within the International Area Exploration Convention (GLEX) – 2025 on Wednesday. However one thing was amiss. There was no illustration from the Nationwide Aeronautics and Area Administration (NASA).
The rationale: lack of funds to assist the NASA scientists or astronauts to journey and attend GLEX — collectively organised by the Worldwide Astronautical Federation (IAF) and hosted by Indian Area Analysis Organisation (ISRO). Sources from the organising committee mentioned, on the situation of anonymity, that atleast a dozen NASA members have been anticipated to be in New Delhi nevertheless it didn’t materialise.
Quickly after Donald Trump returned to energy earlier this 12 months, his administration introduced a slew of measures together with some draconian slashing of funds for the fiscal 12 months 2026, both cancellation or stalling of ongoing house missions, just like the pattern return mission from Mars, all of which has put NASA’s rapid future in a dock.
India is internet hosting GLEX for the primary time and has seen a document delegate registration and collaborating international locations within the historical past of the worldwide convention. NASA had participated within the earlier GLEX editions held in Russia and the US.
An IAF member concerned within the planning and participant affairs mentioned that because the US house company was present process a transition and that the absence of heads of chiefs of departments, NASA illustration was lacking within the New Delhi version of the convention.
NASA is likely one of the main house companies of the world and has been concerned in cutting-edge missions and planetary explorations for a number of a long time.
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