Recognizing the significance of the space sector, India and France have embarked on a journey to deepen their cooperation in various realms of the space domain.
Enhancing Scientific and Commercial Partnership
At the core of the India-France space cooperation lies the strengthening of scientific and commercial ties. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the National Centre for Space Studies (CNES), have identified climate and environment as two key areas for collaboration. According to the “Horizon-2047’’ document, the TRISHNA mission, focused on climate monitoring, and activities within the Space Climate Observatory (SCO) will facilitate joint efforts in managing water resources, monitoring marine resources, and improving air quality.
The partnership between the two nations extends beyond climate-related initiatives. Collaboration in space exploration, particularly Mars and Venus missions, will foster greater knowledge sharing and technological advancements. Additionally, joint efforts in maritime monitoring, launchers, and manned flights align with India’s Gaganyaan program, which aims to send astronauts into space.
The document states that the commercial aspect of the partnership is equally significant. NSIL, the Indian commercial arm, and Arianespace, the French multinational launch service provider, intend to collaborate in commercial launch services. This collaboration will enhance the launch capabilities of both nations, providing valuable opportunities for satellite deployment and boosting their respective space industries.
Resilience of Access to Space:
Recognizing the importance of sovereign access to space, India and France are committed to reinforcing their synergies in this domain. Both countries aim to develop forward-looking technologies that will enhance the resilience of their access to space, ensuring the continuity of space-based activities.
The involvement of their respective space industries will be instrumental in achieving this objective. By fostering innovation and leveraging their technological expertise, India and France seek to establish robust systems and mechanisms that can withstand potential disruptions and challenges.
Moreover, the focus on resilience extends beyond technological advancements. India and France will work together to strengthen their institutional frameworks and policies related to space activities. This collaborative approach will enhance the governance of space operations and promote the peaceful and sustainable utilization of outer space.
Bilateral Strategic Space Dialogue:
In addition to the scientific and commercial collaboration, India and France have institutionalized a bilateral strategic space dialogue. This platform enables regular and structured engagement between the two nations, fostering a deeper understanding of each other’s priorities, challenges, and future plans in the space domain. Through this dialogue, India and France can align their strategies, share expertise, and jointly address emerging issues in the evolving global space landscape.
By intensifying their scientific and commercial partnership, both nations are poised to make significant strides in climate monitoring, space exploration, and commercial launch services. The concerted efforts to enhance the resilience of access to space will ensure the continuity of critical space-based services. Furthermore, the institutionalized bilateral strategic space dialogue establishes a solid foundation for ongoing collaboration, fostering mutual understanding and facilitating joint responses to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the vast expanse of outer space.