Australia-India space cooperation expanded on September 8, 2026, with five new industry partnerships announced during the 9th Bengaluru Space Expo in Bengaluru. The agreements bring Australian and Indian companies, research institutions and space organisations together in areas such as satellite operations, spacecraft recovery, spaceports, research and advanced manufacturing.

The new partnerships reflect the growing role of private companies and commercial organisations in the space sector. India and Australia have been increasing cooperation in space-related activities, particularly in areas connected with Earth observation, human spaceflight, satellite technology and commercial missions.

Australia-India Space Cooperation Expands

Australia-India space cooperation received a fresh boost through the participation of a 12-member Australian space industry delegation at the Bengaluru Space Expo 2026. The delegation was led by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission, known as Austrade.

The Australian delegation included companies and organisations working in Earth observation, spacecraft recovery, reusable space systems and commercial space operations. Their participation provided an opportunity for businesses from both countries to explore joint projects and technology partnerships.

The latest agreements also show how space cooperation is moving beyond government-led programmes. Commercial companies, universities and specialist technology firms are becoming increasingly important parts of international space activities.

Satellite Infrastructure Partnership

One of the major agreements was signed between Australian Earth-observation company LatConnect 60 and NewSpace India Limited, the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation.

Under the arrangement, the SWIRSAT mission will be able to use NSIL’s ground-station infrastructure in India for satellite operations and data downlinks. Ground stations are important because they allow satellite operators to communicate with spacecraft and receive data collected from orbit.

Earth-observation satellites can provide information about land, oceans, agriculture, weather conditions and changes on the Earth’s surface. Better access to ground infrastructure can make it easier to operate such missions and process the information they collect.

Cooperation on Spacecraft Recovery

Another important area covered by the new agreements is spacecraft recovery. Space Angel Group Pty Ltd signed an agreement with Hyderabad-based Andura Expeditions covering spaceport activities, spacecraft testing, high-altitude drop-test campaigns and hypersonic recovery.

Spacecraft recovery is becoming increasingly important as the global space industry develops reusable systems. Reusable spacecraft are designed to return safely to Earth after completing missions, allowing some components to be used again.

The companies involved in the partnership are expected to explore technologies and testing methods that can support future commercial space operations.

Reusable Capsules and Microgravity Payloads

Space Angel Group also entered into cooperation with Chennai-based Inbound Aerospace. The partnership focuses on recovery operations for an autonomous reusable capsule and the return of microgravity payloads.

Microgravity experiments are conducted in conditions where the effects of gravity are greatly reduced compared with conditions on Earth’s surface. Such environments can be useful for scientific research, materials testing and technology development.

The ability to safely return spacecraft and experimental payloads to Earth is an important part of commercial space missions. Recovery systems can help researchers examine materials and equipment after they have spent time in space.

Future Commercial Space Missions

Space Angel Group and Vijayawada-based Red Balloon Aerospace Private Limited also announced a partnership for future commercial space missions.

The planned cooperation includes the safe return of spacecraft and resources gathered from asteroids and other celestial bodies. While asteroid resource activities remain an emerging area of the global space industry, companies and research organisations are exploring technologies that could support future missions beyond Earth.

The partnership highlights the increasing interest in commercial space activities and the development of technologies that could eventually support more complex missions.

University Cooperation Between India and Australia

The new partnerships also include an important education and research component. The University of Western Australia and the Space Industry Association of India announced cooperation through the university’s Global Engagement Alliance.

The partnership is expected to focus on education, research, industry engagement and knowledge exchange. Universities play an important role in the space industry by developing scientific knowledge, training skilled workers and working with companies on new technologies.

Greater cooperation between Australian and Indian institutions could support joint research projects and create opportunities for students and researchers to work across both countries.

Support for Gaganyaan

Australia’s space cooperation with India also includes support for India’s human spaceflight programme. Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green spoke at the Bengaluru Space Expo on September 7, 2026.

He highlighted Australia’s tracking and module recovery support for India’s Gaganyaan programme. Gaganyaan is India’s human spaceflight programme led by ISRO and is designed to develop the capability to send Indian astronauts into space.

Tracking and recovery are important parts of human spaceflight because mission teams need to monitor a spacecraft during its journey and locate and recover the crew module after it returns to Earth.

Bengaluru Space Expo 2026

The Bengaluru Space Expo has become an important meeting point for companies, government organisations, researchers and technology developers working in the space sector.

The 2026 event provided a platform for Indian and Australian organisations to announce new partnerships and discuss commercial opportunities. The latest agreements cover different parts of the space industry, from satellite ground infrastructure to reusable spacecraft and research.

For Australia-India space cooperation, the agreements announced at the event represent a wider move towards commercial and technology-based collaboration.

Growing Commercial Space Industry

India’s space sector has changed significantly in recent years, with private companies playing a larger role in satellite manufacturing, launch services, space applications and related technologies.

Australia is also developing its commercial space industry, with companies working in areas such as Earth observation, satellite communications, spacecraft technology and space services.

The five new partnerships bring these capabilities together. They cover satellite infrastructure, spacecraft testing, recovery technology, commercial missions, education and research, creating several areas for future cooperation between Australian and Indian organisations.