India’s space economy could grow from the current US$9 billion to between US$40 billion and US$45 billion over the next seven or eight years. This was announced by the Minister of Space, Jitendra Singh, who highlighted the importance of attracting investment, streamlining regulatory procedures and ensuring sustained commercial demand.
The minister noted that India must move beyond demonstrating its technological capabilities to developing globally competitive space companies. The opening up of the sector to private participation in 2019 and 2020 has already yielded results, but the priority now is to transform technological advances into profitable businesses. To this end, government institutions can act as reference customers and support pilot projects prior to commercialisation.
Singh also advocated streamlining installation and export licences, reducing business costs and improving the integration of supply chains. He also emphasised the importance of attracting domestic and foreign capital without compromising India’s own capabilities or strategic autonomy. This was reported by ANI, a partner of TV BRICS.
Among the areas with the greatest commercial potential, he highlighted satellite communications, Earth observation and geospatial applications in agriculture, infrastructure monitoring, disaster management and defence. According to the minister, the sector’s growth will depend on combining private investment, stable demand, efficient regulation and international partnerships that enable Indian companies to compete in global markets.
In terms of space achievements, other BRICS countries are also making progress in the development of satellites, launch technologies and the use of space data to drive economic and scientific development.
Against the backdrop of expanding space activities, China is also making progress in the development of reusable rockets. The country successfully recovered the first stage of a rocket on the ground, which landed in a controlled manner in the designated area. According to Xinhua News Agency, a partner of TV BRICS, during the same mission, the second stage placed a satellite into its intended orbit. This technology aims to reduce launch costs and facilitate the deployment of large satellite constellations, thereby broadening the possibilities for access to space.
For its part, Iran is strengthening its national capabilities in space technology. Among its advances is the domestically developed telecommunications satellite, which was placed into orbit in 2025. The country has also made progress in orbital manoeuvring through the Chamran satellite mission. In the field of Earth observation, the Paya satellite forms part of its remote sensing projects, whilst the Pars-2, an upgraded version, is now complete and ready for launch. According to Tehran Times, a partner of TV BRICS, the latter offers an image resolution of less than three metres, which could broaden the potential uses of satellite data in agriculture, the monitoring of natural resources and environmental observation.
In addition to these technological advances, Iran is seeking to strengthen cooperation between technology companies, universities and research centres. The aim is to expand national capabilities in the design and manufacture of satellites and to translate scientific advances into commercial products and services, with a particular focus on the practical applications of space technology.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia is promoting the use of geospatial technologies for development. According to Andre Nonguierma, head of the geospatial information management section at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the country’s satellite launches and the growing use of Earth observation systems have strengthened its capacity to collect data for national planning, public policy formulation and the monitoring of development projects.
According to ENA, a partner of TV BRICS, in this field, geospatial information makes it possible to identify the needs of communities, guide investment in infrastructure and assess the progress of projects. Ethiopia also participates in the United Nations’ international geospatial governance mechanisms. During the meetings held in Addis Ababa, representatives and experts highlighted the importance of integrating satellite data with official statistics and of strengthening cooperation between African countries to share knowledge and resources.