PM: We Invite France and the World to be Co-Travellers in India’s Next Space Frontier

Key Highlights & Summary

 • Global Invitation at Paris Space Summit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited France and international partners to collaborate in India’s expanding space roadmap during his address at the two-day International Space Summit held in Paris. 

• Historical Ties with France: The Prime Minister highlighted France’s role as a trusted partner since the inception of India’s space journey at Thumba in the 1960s, noting that cooperation now spans Earth observation and advanced technologies.  

• Roadmap for Bharatiya Antariksh Station & Moon Mission: The address reiterated India\'s target to establish an indigenous space station, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, by 2035 and land an Indian astronaut on the Moon by 2040. 

• Proven Track Record in Commercial Launches: Highlighting ISRO’s cost-effective infrastructure, the Prime Minister noted that India has successfully placed 430 payloads from 34 countries into orbit to date. 

• Call for Long-Term Space Sustainability: With low-Earth orbits becoming increasingly congested, India advocated for transparent research, open data-sharing, and long-term orbital sustainability over short-term commercial gains. 

• Invocation of \'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam\': India’s space exploration ethos continues to be guided by the philosophy of \'the world is one family,\' ensuring scientific data serves the global common good with openness and integrity. 

Essential Definitions

 • Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS): India’s planned indigenous space station targeted for operational readiness by 2035 to enable long-duration microgravity experiments and deep space exploration studies. 

• Space Sustainability: The practice of conducting space activities in a manner that preserves the outer space environment for future generations by mitigating space debris and managing orbital traffic. 

• Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam in Outer Space: A philosophical policy orientation treating space as a common heritage of humankind, prioritizing inclusive technological development, open science, and global partnership.

 Legal and Constitutional Framework

 • Outer Space Treaty (1967): The foundational international legal framework ratified by India establishing that outer space shall be free for exploration and use by all states for peaceful purposes.

 • Indian Space Policy 2023: Comprehensive national framework streamlining space governance, empowering ISRO to focus on advanced R&D, and promoting commercial launch operations through NSIL.

 • Article 51(c), Constitution of India: Directs the State to foster respect for international law and treaty obligations in organizing peaceful cross-border scientific initiatives.

 • Article 51A(h), Constitution of India: Imposes a Fundamental Duty to develop scientific temper, humanism, and the spirit of inquiry and reform.

 Conclusion Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address at the Paris summit positions India as a champion of inclusive, peaceful, and sustainable outer space exploration. By leveraging ISRO’s costeffective capabilities and advancing toward landmark goals like the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, India reinforces its commitment to global scientific collaboration.

 UPSC Relevance

 • GS Paper III: Science and Technology (Indigenization of Technology, ISRO Capabilities, Space Sector Reforms, Long-term Orbital Sustainability).

 • GS Paper II: Bilateral, Regional, and Global Groupings involving India (India-France Strategic Space Partnership, Space Diplomacy). • Key Focus: Bharatiya Antariksh Station Targets, Outer Space Governance, Space Sustainability, Commercial Satellite Launch Track Record.