New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the European Space Agency (ESA) signed a comprehensive agreement on December 21 to cooperate on astronaut training, mission implementation, and a variety of research experiments in space.
The new collaboration between two agencies is aimed at advancing human space exploration. Signed by ISRO Chairman S Somanath and ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher, the agreement lays the foundation for a range of joint activities focused on human spaceflight. Specifically, the agreement will cover areas such as astronaut training, development and integration of space experiments, utilisation of ESA facilities on the International Space Station (ISS), human and biomedical research, as well as joint educational and outreach programs.
Under the new agreement, one of the first major projects will be Axiom-4 mission, which is set to launch with a crew that includes both ISRO’s Gaganyatri astronaut and an ESA astronaut. As part of this mission, the two agencies will work together to implement a series of experiments proposed by Indian Principal Investigators on the ISS. Additionally, ISRO and ESA will explore further collaboration in ESA’s human physiological studies, technology demonstrations, and public outreach activities.
Highlighting ISRO’s roadmap for human spaceflight, Somanath emphasised the agency’s long-term vision for expanding its presence in space. He also pointed to the recent approval of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), India’s upcoming indigenous space station, as a significant opportunity for fostering interoperability between different human spaceflight platforms.
Expressing his appreciation for the progress made in strengthening ties between the two space agencies, Aschbacher thanked Somanath for addressing the ESA Council and praised the agreement as a solid framework for future collaboration in space exploration.
Reaffirming their commitment to joint efforts in the field of human spaceflight, both ISRO and ESA leaders expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far on the Axiom-4 mission. In coming years, the partnership between the two agencies is expected to open new doors for scientific research, space technology advancements, and global collaboration.
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