ISRO and ESA sign new Earth observation cooperation pact

Key facts

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the European Space Agency (ESA) signed the 'ESA–ISRO Arrangement concerning Joint Calibration and Validation Activities and Scientific Studies for Earth Observation Missions' on 4 March 2026.
• ISRO Scientific Secretary M. Ganesh Pillai and ESA Director of Earth Observation Programmes Simonetta Cheli signed the agreement virtually.
• The collaboration covers Earth observation, navigation systems, ground station support and human spaceflight cooperation.
• The partnership between ISRO and ESA began in 1978 and was renewed in 2002.
• The upcoming ESA Fluorescence Explorer (FLEX) mission will benefit from joint calibration and validation campaigns.
• ISRO and ESA have previously cooperated on ground station support for Chandrayaan and Aditya missions and on deep-space communications.