BRICS Space Agencies Unveil Progress in Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation Agreement

The 18th BRICS Summit, held in New Delhi, India, adopted the New Delhi Declaration, which acknowledges significant progress in finalising the amendment to the BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation (RSSC) Agreement. The RSSC is a virtual network of existing observation satellites of the BRICS countries, including India's Resourcesat 2 and 2A, China's Gaofen-6 and Ziyuan III 02, and Russia's Kanopus-V type.

This agreement aims to promote cooperation among BRICS nations in the field of space exploration and utilization.

Summit Also Drafted Terms Reference

The Summit also drafted the Terms of Reference for the BRICS Space Council, a body that will facilitate cooperation among member states on space-related issues. The council will focus on promoting sustainable use of outer space, mitigating space debris, and advancing scientific research.

"We welcome the discussions in the BRICS Heads of Space Agencies meeting held in Bengaluru that emphasised the importance of space debris mitigation for ensuring the long-term sustainability of outer space activities," said the declaration. This emphasis reflects the growing concern among nations about the impact of space debris on the environment and the need for sustainable practices.

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The New Delhi Declaration also highlights the importance of cooperation in emerging spheres such as quantum technologies. The BRICS countries have agreed to enhance their collaboration in this area, recognizing its potential to drive innovation and economic growth.

Furthermore, the declaration welcomes the 65th jubilee of the first human spaceflight, a milestone that marks the beginning of a new era in space exploration. The New Delhi Declaration is a significant step towards promoting sustainable space exploration and cooperation among BRICS nations.

Debris Mitigation and Long-Term Sustainability

The Summit also placed emphasis on debris mitigation and long-term sustainability. "We stress that practical and non-binding commitments such as Transparency and Confidence-Building Measures (TCBMs), and universally agreed norms, rules, and principles may also contribute to PAROS," said the declaration.

This approach acknowledges that while legally binding agreements are essential, non-binding commitments can also play a important step in promoting cooperation and preventing an arms race in outer space.

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Delhi Declaration Recognizes Importance Creating

The New Delhi Declaration recognizes the importance of creating a single open-ended working group to address the issue of space debris mitigation. This group will facilitate discussions among BRICS member states on the development of a legally binding instrument on PAROS, while also exploring practical and non-binding commitments that can contribute to sustainable practices in outer space.

The declaration also speaks of the planned BRICS Science and Research Repository, envisaged as a structured platform for knowledge storage and sharing among BRICS countries voluntarily. This repository will provide a framework for member states to share their scientific research and expertise in emerging spheres such as quantum technologies.

A draft framework document has been prepared for the repository, which outlines the principles and guidelines for its operation. The repository is expected to promote cooperation and collaboration among BRICS nations in the field of space science and technology, while respecting data security, intellectual property rights, and relevant national policies.