BRICS Space Industry: Technological Cooperation and Global Scale Projects

Original article: Industria espacial de los países BRICS: cooperación tecnológica y proyectos de escala mundial

Active discussions about the need for BRICS nations to transition into a technological alliance in the realm of space cooperation have been ongoing for several years. The rationale goes beyond mere experience exchange and mutual support. The exploration of space demands enormous financial investments and the integration of advanced technologies and resources from various countries, as no nation can single-handedly shoulder such high risks and costs. These initiatives encompass ambitious global projects aimed at establishing complex orbital stations, missions to the Moon and Mars, and investigations beyond our solar system. Furthermore, scientific development and space security can progress much more swiftly through collective efforts. Presently, all countries in the «group of ten» are advancing their individual space programs; BRICS encompasses 40% of the world’s population, and its member economies are on the rise. This forms a strong foundation for the success of the boldest space initiatives.

BRICS Space Council

Currently, BRICS nations’ activity in space is entering a phase of cautious institutionalization, experts indicate. Previously, partnerships were often bilateral and limited to specific projects; however, BRICS is now moving towards establishing a permanent Space Council. The leaders of BRICS countries agreed on the creation of this body and the joint development of space during the bloc’s seventeenth summit held in Brazil in 2025.

«We recognize the importance of international cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes and reaffirm our commitment to reducing existing asymmetries in the space potential of BRICS countries. We acknowledge that strengthening the exchange of data, experience, and best practices in the field of space activity is a crucial element in developing cooperation among our space agencies and promoting sustainable progress. … We agreed in principle to establish a BRICS Space Council and continue working on its mandate to foster greater cooperation in space activities within the bloc,» states the declaration.

The BRICS Space Council could create a unified coordination structure capable of competing with other space alliances. Experts predict that competition in space exploration will develop at the level of country blocs. In the initial phase, they believe, the BRICS Space Council could lay the groundwork for a global satellite constellation. Practically, this would involve economic development in near-space through the establishment of communication systems and Earth observation from low orbit.

Another significant and intriguing direction is deep space exploration. There are several justifications for cooperation. Firstly, these projects are extremely costly. For instance, the anticipated launch of the Russian Orbital Station (ROS) for deep space exploration in 2028 will cost approximately 608.9 billion rubles (around 7.6 billion dollars).

«The key economic logic is to pool resources, which will significantly reduce the burden on the participating countries. Our combined potential (BRICS) is impressive: several cosmodromes, over 1,500 satellites, and nearly 100 launches a year,» stated Oleg Alekséyenko, a candidate in Political Sciences and associate professor at the Department of Global Studies at Lomonosov Moscow State University, in an exclusive interview with TV BRICS.

Another reason for BRICS integration in space is the absence of long-term national goals regarding Mars or the Moon across all member countries. Nevertheless, humanity shares a common objective: to expand its habitat and mitigate risks that threaten the development of civilization.

«I also believe that large projects cannot be accomplished by a single country, as the range of necessary technologies for their development is broad and immense. Certainly, the execution of complex and large-scale projects is only feasible through cooperation; thus, I see potential in the union of countries capable of conducting large-scale projects for exploring our natural satellite and eventually creating a colony, for instance, on Mars,» suggested Denis Prudnik, an expert in the field of cosmonautics.

Moon Exploration

One of the central issues on the BRICS space agenda remains lunar exploration. Russia plans not only to continue but also to expand its lunar program, according to Oleg Alekséyenko. The «Luna 27» project aims to launch two heavy landing stations: one will target the south pole and the other will head to the north pole of the natural satellite. The launch of the first mission is scheduled for 2029 and will mark a significant step towards establishing the International Lunar Scientific Station. The station is expected to comprise modules on the lunar surface, with construction slated for between 2031 and 2035. The joint project of Russia and China is open to participation from other nations; by April 2025, 17 states and international organizations had joined, along with over 50 research institutes.

The deputy director of the China National Space Administration (CNSA), Bian Zhigang, noted that joint lunar research is transitioning from short-term missions to the development of long-term facilities, and from individual launches to international cooperation.

Another lunar initiative is spearheaded by India. At the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry Summit – Women Empowerment 2026 (BRICS CCI WE 2026), the country introduced the world’s first international lunar mission composed entirely of young women. The ShakthiSAT program aims to train 12,000 girls aged 14 to 18 from 108 countries in programming, physics, electronics, and satellite construction. After completing a 120-hour online program, the best participant from each country will gather in India for hands-on training from June to August. The culmination will be the creation of the final satellite version, with its launch to lunar orbit slated for 2026, as reported by ANI, a partner of TV BRICS.

«The project encompasses 12,000 girls from 108 countries, including all BRICS+ states. The Indian initiative transforms space from a field of competition into a domain of cooperation,» emphasized Alekséyenko.

BRICS Space Infrastructure

An additional crucial element in the development of BRICS’ space sector is launch infrastructure. Collectively, the group has nine orbital cosmodromes: one in Brazil (Alcântara), one in India (Satish Dhawan Space Centre, formerly Sriharikota), four in China (Xichang, Taiyuan, Jiuquan, and Wenchang), and three managed by Russia (Baikonur in Kazakhstan and Vostochniy and Plesetsk in Russia). Baikonur is formally in Kazakhstan, but Russia holds lease rights until 2050. Therefore, the BRICS group already possesses a broad array of launch options at various latitudes. Plans to construct cosmodromes in Indonesia and Africa will further strengthen the resilience of this infrastructure. Additionally, launches from areas near the equator are particularly advantageous as they provide rockets with an extra initial boost due to the maximum linear speed of Earth’s rotation.

Another significant advantage for BRICS countries is that, according to estimates from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, BRICS+ nations hold around 72% of rare earth reserves, which are vital for satellite production, propulsion systems, and various components.

BRICS Nations’ Advantages in Space

The countries within the group possess not only natural resources but also significant scientific and technological capabilities. Within BRICS, according to Alekséyenko, a certain functional specialization has emerged.

Russia is a technological leader in crewed spaceflight, nuclear energy facilities, and fundamental science. The country has a ten-year plan for the development of the space sector and is experimenting with plasma engines for deep space flights. Russia is urging its partners to combine efforts for costly interplanetary missions, including Mars and Venus. The country possesses unique scientific schools and landing technologies for Venus that have not yet been replicated elsewhere in the world. These advancements can serve as a foundation for BRICS programs.

China has its own orbital station, «Tiangong,» which has been in orbit since 2021. It is designed as a modular long-term platform where experiments in biology, medicine, and materials science are already being conducted. Furthermore, China is developing a comprehensive lunar program that includes robotic exploration and aims to land taikonauts on the Moon by 2030.

India acts as a diplomatic integrator, promoting the concept of «space as a public good» through educational and scientific projects. Following the success of the «Chandrayaan» missions and a soft landing, the country aims to play a crucial role in joint lunar projects, leveraging its experience in low-cost, high-efficiency missions.

The United Arab Emirates established itself with the «Hope» mission, which entered Martian orbit on February 9, 2021. The country currently seeks to capitalize on that experience to engage in lunar initiatives, developing robotic modules and scientific instruments.

South Africa collaborates with China on quantum communications, creating a secure satellite channel resistant to interception. Experts believe these solutions can significantly enhance the technological standing of BRICS and create a synergistic effect.

«The United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Iran, Indonesia, Ethiopia, and others provide geographical presence, access to frequencies, growing markets for space services, and new specialists. Overall, the establishment of the BRICS Space Council opens a series of opportunities: joint procurement, unification of production, creation of an independent supply chain (engines, life support systems, etc.), development of common technical regulations, among others,» expressed Oleg Alekséyenko, an expert in politics and international relations.

Barriers and Prospects

Thus, by leveraging the technological capabilities of China, Russia, and India, along with the ambitions of other countries, BRICS is actively building its own space architecture. Experts believe the new ecosystem will be increasingly reliant on private sector participation and shared infrastructure. Concurrently, the bloc is promoting alternative principles of space governance: inclusion and peaceful use of orbit. Astropolitics emerges as a reflection of a broader multipolar order championed by BRICS.

However, despite the attractive prospects of joint lunar missions and deep space exploration, BRICS’ space cooperation faces obstacles. Among these, experts highlight differing technical approaches, varying levels of development, and legal issues.

«Roscosmos (Russia), CNSA (China), and ISRO (India) have historically developed with distinct technical solutions, making it challenging to establish common standards. Additionally, countries in the bloc are at different stages of their space programs, and the transfer of technology remains a delicate task. Differences in legislation, patent rights, and export controls must also be considered,» commented Alekséyenko.

Consequently, the success of BRICS’ space cooperation will directly depend on the ability of the countries to harmonize technical standards and create a sustainable management system. If these challenges are overcome, BRICS has the potential to become an alternative center of global space governance and a leading platform for decision-making on lunar exploration and deep space endeavors.

«The joint development of large projects by BRICS nations for the benefit of all humanity will demonstrate the creative component of cosmonautics and draw a picture of the future we should aspire to. Space is, above all, a vision of the future and cooperation. Here, not only can large-scale tasks be resolved, but it can also demonstrate that this is a realm of interaction among different nations,» concluded cosmonautics expert and aerospace engineer Denis Prudnik.

*Article by Svetlana Jristofórova, originally published by TV BRICS

Featured Image: Photo by Alones Creative / iStock