ISRO and ESA renew space cooperation till 2032
The Indian Space Research Organisation and the European Space Agency have renewed their cooperative agreement until 2032, their chiefs signing the extension at the International Space Summit in Paris on September 9-10. The renewed pact widens collaboration to space weather and human and robotic exploration. The agencies have worked together since 1978, with a framework agreement in 2002.
Syllabus: Prelims · Current Affairs & IR; GS3 · IT, Space, Biotech & IPR; GS2 · Groupings & Agreements
Why it matters
Neither Europe nor India yet flies its own crewed spacecraft, so pooling training, tracking and reviews makes each programme cheaper and more reliable. Space weather matters to everyone: small changes in it can disrupt satellites, and through them communications, power grids and navigation on the ground. Indian astronauts have already trained at ESA centres.
Prelims pointers
- ESA Director General: Josef Aschbacher; ISRO Chairman: V. Narayanan.
- Space weather variations can affect satellites and, through them, communication systems, power grids and navigation services.
- India's Gaganyatris have received training at ESA centres in recent years.
- A March 2026 agreement covers joint calibration and scientific studies to share technology, data and infrastructure.
Practise a UPSC-style question
Consider the following statements about Proba-3, one of the missions on which ISRO and the European Space Agency have worked together:
1. It was launched by Europe's Ariane 6 rocket from the Guiana Space Centre.
2. It is a European Space Agency mission designed to study the Sun's corona.
3. Its two spacecraft fly in precise formation, one blocking the Sun's disc so that the other can observe the corona.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Show the answer
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
1 is incorrect: Proba-3 was launched by ISRO's PSLV from Sriharikota in December 2024. 2 is correct: it is an ESA mission to observe the solar corona. 3 is correct: the Occulter spacecraft casts a shadow on the Coronagraph spacecraft, creating an artificial solar eclipse.
More from the 23 September 2026 edition
- Election Commission freezes Trinamool Congress name and symbol Polity
- FCRA Amendment Bill 2026 would vest lapsed NGOs' foreign assets in government Polity
- Centre doubles environmental clearance validity for ports to 20 years Environment
- Supreme Court holds UP Gangsters Act 'stillborn' Polity
- Punjab's groundwater extraction rate eases to 152%; 110 of 153 blocks over-exploited Environment
- US law provides for up to 100% tariffs on top Russian-oil buyers World & IR
- 0.4% MDR on UPI merchant payments above Rs 2,000 from October 15 Economy
- BRICS Delhi Declaration notes UNSC Resolution 2803, reaffirms 1967 borders World & IR
- India-New Zealand free trade agreement takes effect October 20 Economy