Proba-3, the European Union’s Solar Observatory satellite, will be launched by India in December: Dr. Jitendra Singh

India Is a “Natural Partner” for the EU in Space Security and Exploration: EU Ambassador

Highlights of the Third India Space Conclave India’s Growing Contribution to International Space Cooperation

INN/New Delhi, @Infodeaofficial

As part of its growing role as a global space leader, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said today that India will launch the European Union’s Proba-3 space satellite by the first week of December. Speaking at the 3rd Indian Space Conclave, he stated that this highlights the growing collaboration between India and the EU in space exploration and research. In addition to strengthening the Indian Space Research Organization’s (ISRO) standing as a reliable partner in international space missions, this project, which aims to observe the Sun, represents both countries’ dedication to expanding scientific knowledge. A new degree of equitable cooperation between India and other major space powers is reflected in the Proba-3 satellite, which arrived at Sriharikota this morning with the goal of observing the Sun.

India will launch the Proba-3 satellite for the EU for the third time; the Proba-1 and Proba-2 spacecraft were supported by earlier missions. But the mission’s emphasis on solar observation sets it apart. Dr. Jitendra Singh clarified that Proba-3 will contribute to ISRO’s portfolio of ambitious scientific endeavours, which recently included the ground-breaking Chandrayaan-3 moon mission, by offering important insights into solar corona dynamics. “India and Europe are reaching out to the Sun together,” Dr. Jitendra Singh stated, emphasising the mission’s scientific and symbolic significance.

During his speech, Dr. Jitendra Singh attributed the swift transformation of India’s space industry to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s progressive policy reforms. The 2020 reforms, according to Dr. Jitendra Singh, “unlocked” India’s space potential by allowing for corporate involvement and international cooperation. The space industry was formerly constrained by stringent government regulations and secrecy, but the liberalised approach has resulted in exponential growth, and today India is home to over 300 space entrepreneurs that are involved in a variety of domestic and international projects. This expansion demonstrates the country’s growing technological prowess and ability to fund top-tier research.

The policy change, according to Dr. Jitendra Singh, is about using space technology to improve infrastructure and daily life throughout India, not simply about exploration. Satellites are now used in agricultural, urban planning, and even groundwater monitoring as part of India’s well-known “Jal Shakti” water conservation initiative. As a result, industries like transit and rural development that were previously unaffected by space technology are benefiting from these developments.

Additionally, the Conclave offered a venue for showcasing India’s space technology startup scene. “There were only a few space-related startups a few years ago,” said Dr. Jitendra Singh. “There are currently over 300, supporting a whole industry and generating employment nationwide.” In addition to slowing the historic brain drain, this rise in startups has brought back Indian talent from overseas, especially from organisations like NASA, which once attracted many of India’s most talented space scientists.

India is a “cost-effective, dynamic space power of the first order,” according to EU Ambassador to India and Bhutan Mr. Herve Delphin, who highlighted the importance of the Indo-European space relationship in his speech. The European Union sees India as a natural ally in the field of space exploration and innovation, Mr Delphin said, praising India’s accomplishments, notably the recent success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission. He emphasised that India and the EU are both solidifying their positions as major space powers, having a shared interest in using space peacefully and a dedication to using space-based solutions to address urgent global concerns like cyber security and climate change.

Additionally, Ambassador Delphin described the EU’s goal to deepen this partnership by putting forth cooperative projects in space security, training, and Earth observation—areas in which both regions excel. He cited current alliances as a starting point for further integration, such as India’s cooperation with the EU’s Copernicus Earth observation program. Mr. Delphin expressed hope for the advancement of space governance and responsible practices globally, noting that preparations are in the works to increase collaboration in space security. He also said that the forthcoming EU-India Summit in Delhi in 2025 will be a crucial chance to further this common goal.

India’s space program has big plans for the future. India’s will to lead space innovation is demonstrated by the impending Gaganyaan human spaceflight project and its goals for a lunar landing by 2040. In order to further solidify India’s position in the global space scene, the country is also looking into future missions to build its own space station by 2035. Furthermore, with a 2040 space tourism goal, India’s approach is now both inclusive and forward-thinking, with plans to involve private businesses and foreign organisations at every step of its space exploration process.

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh gave the esteemed ISpA Space Industry Awards and debuted SPADE, a cutting-edge product created by Suhora Technologies, during the occasion. After the first session, he visited exhibit booths with state-of-the-art space items, interacting with dignitaries and demonstrating India’s space technology breakthroughs.

Dr. Jitendra Singh concluded by restating India’s dedication to alliances such as the one with the EU. “The space sector will be a driving force in this transformation as we look to 2047 and envision a Viksit Bharat, bringing significant economic returns and scientific prestige.” In addition to enhancing Indo-EU ties, the Proba-3 launch demonstrates India’s leadership potential in space research and technology, enhancing its reputation as a cooperative international space actor.With this mission, ISRO builds on a history of accomplishments and moves India closer to a future in which it not only participates in international space efforts but also serves as a leader influencing the direction of space research and innovation.

Key players in India’s space industry also attended the first session, including Lt Gen AK Bhatt (Retd), Director General of ISpA; Jayant Patil, Chairman of the Indian Space Association (ISpA); and S. Somnath, Secretary of the Department of Space and Chairman of ISRO and the Space Commission. This highlighted the collaborative momentum within India’s quickly changing space ecosystem.