Human Spaceflight, Start-Ups Emerge as Key Areas in India-France Space Partnership

India and France are expanding their cooperation in the space sector, with greater emphasis on human spaceflight, microgravity research, start-ups and emerging space technologies, Union Minister of State for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh said on Monday.

Dr. Singh made the remarks during a meeting with French Minister for Higher Education, Research and Space Prof. Philippe Baptiste and a high-level French delegation. He said the India-France space partnership has entered a new phase, creating opportunities to build a wider ecosystem connecting governments, research institutions, industry and start-ups.

The discussions covered the Space Summit, India-France Year of Innovation 2026 and key areas of scientific and technological cooperation, including space, CEFIPRA and the Blue Economy, according to an official statement.

India-France space cooperation dates back to the 1960s, when the two countries collaborated on early sounding rocket experiments. Since then, the partnership has expanded to include joint satellite missions, launch vehicle technologies, human spaceflight and a range of emerging space applications.

Dr. Singh highlighted Megha-Tropiques and SARAL, jointly developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and France’s CNES, as important milestones in the bilateral partnership. He also referred to cooperation in launch vehicle engine development.

The minister said the third joint satellite mission, TRISHNA, would soon be developed, and acknowledged CNES support for India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme, including the supply of consumables and training of flight surgeons.

The two sides have also begun discussions on microgravity research and parabolic flights linked to human spaceflight, opening new avenues for scientific research and astronaut-related studies.

Dr. Singh said the transformation of India’s space sector has created opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation beyond government institutions and established space agencies.

More than 400 Indian space start-ups are currently working across areas such as rocket development, satellite manufacturing and space applications, he said.

The India-France Year of Innovation 2026, inaugurated in February, is also expected to provide a platform for expanding cooperation in innovation and emerging technologies.

Prof. Baptiste welcomed increased collaboration in human spaceflight, astronaut health, microgravity research and parabolic flights, according to the Department of Space statement.

The discussions underline the widening scope of India-France space cooperation as both countries look to strengthen collaboration across government, research, industry and the growing start-up ecosystem.