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ISRO-European Space Agency sign agreement for advancing human spaceflight

Dr. Aschbacher expressed gratitude to Dr. Somanath for his address at the ESA Council, noting that the agreement lays a solid foundation for ongoing cooperation between the two agencies.

Published

2 years ago

December 21, 2024

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ISRO on Saturday announced that it has signed an agreement with the European Space Agency (ESA) to collaborate on astronaut training, mission execution, and research initiatives. The agreement was formalised by ISRO Chairman Dr. S Somanath and ESA Director General Dr. Josef Aschbacher.

This partnership establishes a framework for cooperative efforts in human space exploration and research, focusing on areas such as astronaut training, experiment development and integration using ESA facilities on the International Space Station (ISS), human and biomedical research experiments, and joint educational outreach programs, according to ISRO’s statement.

For the upcoming Axiom-4 mission, where ISRO’s Gaganyatri will be part of the crew alongside an ESA astronaut, both organizations will work together to conduct experiments proposed by Indian Principal Investigators on the ISS.

Moreover, the collaboration aims to include participation in ESA’s human physiological studies, technology demonstration experiments, and further joint educational outreach initiatives.

During the announcement, Dr. Somanath emphasised that ISRO has developed a roadmap for human spaceflight activities, and with the approval of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), India’s planned indigenous space station, there is an opportunity to foster interoperability between human spaceflight programs.

Dr. Aschbacher expressed gratitude to Dr. Somanath for his address at the ESA Council, noting that the agreement lays a solid foundation for ongoing cooperation between the two agencies.

The leadership of both ISRO and ESA conveyed their satisfaction with the progress of the joint projects related to the Axiom-4 mission and emphasized the importance of continuing collaborative efforts in human spaceflight in the future, according to ISRO’s statement.

ISRO has stated that the newly signed agreement creates a framework for collaboration in human space exploration and research. This partnership emphasizes astronaut training, support for experiment development and integration—which includes utilising ESA facilities on the International Space Station—along with conducting human and biomedical research experiments and engaging in joint educational and outreach initiatives.

In preparation for the upcoming Axiom-4 mission, which will feature ISRO’s Gaganyatri alongside an ESA astronaut, both agencies are working together to implement experiments proposed by Indian Principal Investigators on the ISS. Additionally, ISRO is actively pursuing participation in ESA’s human physiological studies, technology demonstration experiments, and joint educational outreach efforts.

Related Topics:Agreement Human spaceflight ISRO-Europe Space Agency

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PM Modi hails ISRO after successful GSLV-F17 launch, calls it proud moment

PM Modi congratulated ISRO after GSLV-F17 successfully launched EOS-05, calling the achievement a proud moment for India.

Published

1 month ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) after the successful launch of the GSLV-F17 rocket carrying the EOS-05 Earth observation satellite, describing the achievement as a proud moment for the nation.

The GSLV-F17 lifted off at 2:55 a.m. IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The EOS-05 satellite was subsequently placed into its designated sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit.

PM Modi praises ISRO’s growing capabilities

In a post on X, PM Modi said the successful mission reflected the excellence, innovation and expanding capabilities of India’s space sector.

Yet another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a proud moment for our nation.

The successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05, India’s first-ever imaging satellite from Geosynchronous orbit is a reflection of the excellence, innovation and growing capabilities that define… https://t.co/fXzwnSmwAF
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 4, 2026

He also highlighted the growing partnership between ISRO and Indian industry, saying it was strengthening India’s space programme and expanding capabilities across the wider space ecosystem.

The prime minister described the successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05 as another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a matter of national pride.

EOS-05 strengthens earth observation capabilities

According to the report, EOS-05 is India’s first-ever imaging satellite from geosynchronous orbit. The satellite is designed to provide continuous observation of the country from an altitude of nearly 36,000 km above Earth.

The mission is expected to strengthen India’s earth observation capabilities and support advanced imaging and observation applications.

ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan expressed satisfaction with the mission, saying the satellite was precisely injected into its intended orbit.

Mission Director Thomas Kurian described the launch as a significant milestone for the GSLV programme. He said it was the 19th flight of the GSLV and noted that EOS-05 is the heaviest satellite the launch vehicle has placed into a geosynchronous transfer orbit or sub-GTO orbit.

GSLV-F17 launch vehicle details

The GSLV-F17 stands 51.7 metres tall and has an approximate liftoff mass of 420.5 tonnes.

Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh also congratulated the ISRO team following the successful mission. He described EOS-05 as a state-of-the-art Earth observation satellite capable of advanced imaging across visible, infrared, multispectral and hyperspectral bands.

Latest Science News

Indian-origin astronaut Anil Menon begins first mission to International Space Station

Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon has launched aboard Soyuz MS-29 on his first mission to the International Space Station, where he is expected to spend around eight months conducting research.

Published

3 months ago

July 14, 2026

APNLive Desk

Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon has embarked on his first journey into space after successfully launching aboard Russia’s Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS).

The mission lifted off from the historic Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 8:17 PM on Tuesday. Menon was accompanied by Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina as the three-member crew began their expedition to the orbiting laboratory.

Crew to spend about eight months aboard ISS

The Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft is expected to dock with the International Space Station a little over three hours after launch. Once aboard the ISS, the crew will carry out a range of scientific research and technology demonstration projects during their mission.

The expedition is scheduled to last approximately eight months, with the crew expected to return to Earth in 2027 after completing their planned activities in orbit.

Menon’s maiden spaceflight marks a significant milestone in his astronaut career as he joins the International Space Station crew for long-duration research and operational work.

Latest Science News

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to meet PM Modi after return from historic space mission

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who recently returned from the ISS as part of the Axiom-4 mission, will meet PM Modi this evening. Parliament will also hold a special discussion on his historic journey.

Published

1 year ago

August 18, 2025

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Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS), will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi this evening at his official residence in New Delhi.

PM Modi to host meeting with astronaut

According to officials, the meeting at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg is expected to take place between 5 pm and 5:30 pm. Shukla, who arrived in India on Sunday, will also be part of the National Space Day celebrations scheduled for August 23.

Warm welcome in India

The astronaut was greeted at the airport by his family, Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and hundreds of citizens waving the national flag. Shukla had been in the United States for a year, preparing for the Axiom-4 mission, which launched from Florida on June 25 and docked at the ISS the next day. He served as the mission’s pilot.

Emotional note from Shukla

Before his return, Shukla shared an emotional post on Instagram, expressing mixed feelings of leaving his space colleagues while being eager to meet his loved ones and people of India. He also quoted a song from the film Swades, which he had chosen as his anthem on the launch day.

Parliament session on India’s space journey

In honour of Shukla’s mission, the Lok Sabha is holding a special session today to discuss “India’s first astronaut aboard the ISS – critical role of space programme for Viksit Bharat by 2047.” Union minister Kiren Rijiju said the discussion would highlight the importance of India’s space achievements and future goals.