As global power dynamics continue to evolve, BRICS and IBSA nations are working to expand their influence beyond traditional economic spheres, turning their attention to emerging frontiers like outer space, artificial intelligence, and digital governance. Discussions held on the margins of the 80th United Nations General Assembly on Friday revealed a shared intent among these countries to shape international rules and frameworks around technologies that are increasingly central to both development and security. What emerged was a growing convergence between member states on the need to resist fragmentation of global governance and instead promote inclusive, rules-based approaches, especially in domains…
Author: Huma Siddiqui
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Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced that its AI-enabled space robot Vyommitra will fly on the first uncrewed test mission for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program by December 2025, marking a major milestone in India’s space ambitions. Vyommitra, a half-humanoid robot, is designed to simulate human responses, monitor environmental conditions, and interact with onboard systems. This innovation will serve as a precursor to India’s first crewed orbital mission, enabling critical validation of life support systems and spacecraft safety features. Vyommitra will be launched aboard the unmanned Gaganyaan spacecraft into a 400-kilometre orbit for three days before returning to Earth.…
India Celebrates Engineers’ Day with 75 Student Satellites As India marks Engineers’ Day on September 15, 2025, honouring the 164th birth anniversary of visionary engineer Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, the nation finds itself at a critical juncture in its space journey. In a tribute to both engineering excellence and youthful ambition, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing to launch 75 satellites—each one designed and built by students from across the country. This unprecedented initiative not only celebrates India’s 75 years of independence but also showcases the ingenuity of its next generation. And, also proving that the future of space exploration…
Esri India and Dhruva Space have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to integrate high-resolution satellite imagery with advanced Geographic Information System (GIS) platforms. The partnership brings together Esri India’s ArcGIS technology, a widely used GIS solution across sectors, with Dhruva Space’s AstraView imagery service, which sources data from a network of over 200 Earth Observation (EO) satellites. These satellites cover a wide range of sensing technologies, including optical, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), radio frequency (RF), and hyperspectral imaging. The collaboration aims to enable real-time, high-quality satellite imagery to be used seamlessly within GIS workflows. This integration could serve as…
Ahead of Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s expected visit later this month, Suhora Technologies, a space data analytics startup based out of Noida has signed an exclusive, multi-year partnership with Satellogic Inc. to deliver sub-meter, high-resolution Earth observation services in India and Nepal. This agreement marks a seven-figure agreement for exclusive market rights in both countries. This move comes at a time when India-Nepal space sector collaboration is deepening, and just ahead of the Nepal Prime Minister’s scheduled for September 16–17, where regional cooperation in areas like technology, connectivity and tourism is expected to be discussed. Under the agreement…
At the India-Japan Summit 2025, held in Tokyo on August 29-30, the leaders of both countries came together to take their long-standing partnership to new heights, especially in the domain of space exploration. Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba of Japan engaged in wide-ranging talks, which focused not only on space but also on scientific innovation, technology, and mutual economic development. This summit set the stage for a deeper collaboration between the two nations, with key agreements designed to address critical challenges like space debris and to advance joint missions. One of the central outcomes…
In a big push toward space technology commercialization and self-reliance, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) has enabled the transfer of five indigenous technologies developed by ISRO to private Indian firms. The agreements, signed at IN-SPACe headquarters in Ahmedabad, mark a collaborative effort with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and the recipient industries. The technology handovers are expected to reduce import dependency, promote innovation across sectors like healthcare, solar energy, and aerospace, and unlock wider industrial applications beyond space. Among the technologies transferred is the Low Temperature Co-Fired Ceramic (LTCC) Multi-Chip Module, created by the Space Applications Centre…
In a significant step forward for regional technological cooperation, the Space Industry Association of India (SIA-India) and the Electronic Industries Association of the Philippines Inc. (EIAPI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration in space, satellite communication, and electronic technologies. The agreement marks a strategic convergence of industrial capabilities between two key Indo-Pacific democracies and underscores the operationalization of India’s Act East Policy and its expanded MAHASAGAR vision. As India and the Philippines commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations, the MoU reflects the evolving Strategic Partnership between the two nations, recently reinforced through the 2025–2029 Plan of…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a two-day visit to Japan from August 29 to 30 for the India-Japan Annual Summit, reinforcing the robust strategic partnership between the two nations. Among the key focus areas on the agenda is an expanding collaboration in the space sector, including the ambitious Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) mission being developed jointly by ISRO and JAXA. This high-level visit is part of the regular diplomatic engagements that have steadily elevated the India-Japan relationship into a comprehensive partnership spanning strategic, economic, technological, and defence dimensions. Space cooperation has increasingly emerged as a symbol…
Bengaluru-based space technology company Pixxel has expanded its satellite fleet with the successful launch of three additional hyperspectral imaging satellites aboard SpaceX’s NAOS mission on a Falcon 9 rocket. This brings its commercial Firefly constellation to a total of six satellites in orbit. This latest deployment follows the launch of Pixxel’s first three Firefly satellites earlier this year. With six operational satellites, the company now offers daily global coverage using hyperspectral imaging technology—an emerging remote sensing method that captures data across more than 135 spectral bands. Each Firefly satellite is capable of imaging at 5-meter spatial resolution across a 40-kilometre…