ESA and ISRO extend and broaden cooperation agreement

The European Space Agency and the Indian Space Research Organisation signed an exchange of letters in Paris on 10 September 2026, on the margins of the International Space Summit, extending their long-standing Cooperative Agreement for a further five years until 8 January 2032. The agreement originally entered into force in January 2002 and provides the framework for ESA–ISRO cooperation across a broad range of space activities. The renewal reaffirms Europe's and India's commitment to expanding cooperation in space.

ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher said that as space activities expand beyond Earth orbit and new opportunities emerge in exploration, sustainability, and advanced technologies, international cooperation remains essential. He noted that ESA and ISRO have built a trusted partnership spanning more than two decades, and that the renewed agreement positions them to pursue even greater ambitions together while delivering tangible benefits for citizens and economies. The agencies have previously worked together on Earth observation, satellite navigation, space science, and mission operations support, and last year signed a Joint Statement of Intent on human exploration.

The newly signed exchange of letters extends the Cooperative Agreement and updates its scope to reflect evolving priorities in the space sector. In addition to existing areas of cooperation, the agreement now includes space weather and human and robotic exploration, while also recognising the growing importance of the sustainability of outer space activities.

ISRO Chairman Dr V. Narayanan said the partnership between ISRO and ESA has delivered tangible benefits for India and Europe and has demonstrated the value of international cooperation in advancing space activities. The renewal reflects the shared ambition of both agencies to pursue innovation and scientific progress for the benefit of their societies. The extension reaffirms both agencies' commitment to continue building on their established partnership and to explore new opportunities in support of scientific discovery, technological innovation, and the sustainable use of space.