BRICS Expands Cooperation in Space and Remote-Sensing Technology

The BRICS countries have announced further progress in cooperation involving remote-sensing satellites, adding a technology and space dimension to the group's broader economic and diplomatic agenda. The development was highlighted in the New Delhi Declaration adopted during the 18th BRICS Summit in India.

The BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation is designed as a virtual network linking observation satellites operated by member countries. The existing network includes India's Resourcesat-2 and Resourcesat-2A, China's Gaofen-6 and Ziyuan III 02, and Russia's Kanopus-V type satellites. The system can support the exchange and use of Earth-observation information among participating countries.

The summit has also moved toward establishing a BRICS Space Council. Such a mechanism could provide a more structured platform for cooperation between national space agencies and encourage collaboration in areas such as Earth observation, climate monitoring, agriculture and disaster management.

Satellite-based observation has become increasingly important for governments because it can provide information about crops, forests, water resources, land-use changes and natural disasters. For developing economies, these technologies can support planning without relying entirely on conventional ground-based information.

India's involvement is particularly significant because the country's space programme has developed considerable expertise in remote sensing and Earth observation. Greater cooperation among BRICS members could potentially create opportunities for scientific exchanges and joint applications.

Remote-sensing satellites observe the Earth's surface from space and collect information without requiring physical access to every location. Governments can use such data for agriculture, environmental monitoring, urban planning and disaster response.

Source: Indian Express