India and the United States are taking their space partnership into a new phase, with lunar exploration, human spaceflight, scientific data sharing and commercial opportunities emerging as key areas of cooperation. The most significant development from the latest bilateral talks was NASA’s invitation to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to participate in its Moon Base programme. The proposal could give India a role in a US-led effort to establish a sustained human and robotic presence near the lunar South Pole. The invitation was extended during the ninth meeting of the India-US Civil Space Joint Working Group, held at ISRO…
Author: Huma Siddiqui
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India’s next-generation navigation and Earth observation satellite missions are awaiting final government approval despite completing most technical preparations, delaying two launches considered important for the country’s space and strategic capabilities. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has readied NVS-03, the latest satellite in India’s indigenous NavIC navigation constellation, and GISAT-1A (EOS-05), an advanced Earth observation satellite. Both missions are expected to fly aboard the GSLV Mk-II rocket but remain on hold pending administrative clearance. The delay follows two failed Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) missions within a year. PSLV-C61, launched in May 2025, and PSLV-C62 in January 2026 both suffered…
China has strengthened its space diplomacy by launching two artificial intelligence-enabled Earth observation satellites in partnership with Indonesia and Uzbekistan, underscoring Beijing’s growing push to export advanced space technology across Asia. The satellites, Oriental Smart Eye (OSE)-01 and OSE-02, were launched aboard a Smart Dragon-3 (Jielong-3) rocket from a sea-based platform off Haiyang in China’s Shandong Province. The mission, conducted by the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, marked the 12th flight of the Smart Dragon-3 launch vehicle and highlighted China’s expanding commercial offshore launch capability. The programme combines hyperspectral imaging with onboard artificial intelligence to deliver faster and more detailed analysis…
As New Delhi prepares to host the two days BRICS Summit on September 12 -13, Space cooperation is expected to feature prominently in discussions among BRICS leaders. This reflects the bloc’s growing ambition to expand collaboration beyond traditional areas such as trade, finance and development into one of the world’s fastest-evolving strategic domains. The timing is important. With Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin among other leaders expected to travel to India for the summit, according to sources, the meeting offers an opportunity for leaders to build on the momentum generated at the BRICS Heads of Space…
India’s private space sector is preparing for another landmark moment. Chennai-based Agnikul Cosmos has unveiled Mission-02, an ambitious programme that aims to achieve India’s first sea recovery of an orbital-class rocket booster by a private company, bringing reusable launch technology within reach. The mission will use a specially configured two-stage Agnibaan launch vehicle. After stage separation, the first-stage booster will attempt a controlled descent before splashing down in the sea, where recovery teams will retrieve it for inspection, refurbishment and eventual reuse. Success would mark a major advance towards reusable launch systems capable of dramatically lowering the cost of accessing…
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