ESA · Space

ESA and ISRO Extend Space Cooperation Agreement

The European Space Agency (ESA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have extended their cooperative agreement for another five years, until January 8, 2032, reinforcing their commitment to space collaboration.

The agreement, initially signed in January 2002, provides a framework for joint activities. The extension was signed in Paris on September 10, 2026.

ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher highlighted the essential nature of international cooperation as space activities expand, noting the two decades of trusted partnership and the potential for greater ambitions and benefits for citizens and economies.

Previous collaborations have included Earth observation, satellite navigation, space science, and mission operations support. A Joint Statement of Intent on human exploration was also signed last year.

The updated agreement broadens the scope to include space weather and human and robotic exploration, acknowledging the increasing importance of space sustainability.

ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan stated that the partnership has yielded tangible benefits and demonstrated the value of international cooperation in advancing space activities, reflecting a shared ambition for innovation and scientific progress.

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