From Moon tracking to climate action – Australia and India deepen their space cooperation and capabilities.
The Australian Government is backing Australia’s space industry to develop new technology that will be part of an India-led mission to address environmental challenges and climate change.
To support this mission, a new grant for a space project was announced today to produce an Australian payload to collaborate on the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) G20 Satellite Mission for Environment and Climate Observation.
The $2.7 million space project will be led by an Aussie organisation along with several Australian and Indian partners. It will further strengthen connections between our nations in space – opening technology development and supply chain opportunities in a booming market while confronting real-world problems.
Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy Dr Andrew Charlton underscored how Australia and India share a critical space partnership.
In a media release issued today, the Minister announced that the project will be funded through the latest round of the International Space Investment Initiative, which supports strategic space projects that build relationships with international space agencies like ISRO.
“Australia’s relationship with India is a critical one and our space partnership is delivering great outcomes that mutually benefit our nations and region more broadly.
This project demonstrates how space addresses our biggest challenges, while also driving technology development across industries that enhance productivity and secure Australia’s future prosperity.
These investments also generate opportunities for our space companies to break into new supply chains and pursue other commercial opportunities that will grow our economy and create new high-tech jobs.”
~ Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy Dr Andrew Charlton.
Applications now open
The Australian space industry can apply for the latest round of funding before Monday 16 March 2026.
Grants to unlock opportunities and expand Australia's space sector
Australia and India possess significant untapped potential as space partners.
The investment revealed today builds on $18 million committed in 2024 to three Australia–India collaborative space projects that support the net zero transition, boost advanced manufacturing and industrialisation, and advance artificial intelligence.
“India is one of Australia’s biggest commercial partners in space and has a sector that is among the fastest growing in the world.
Our partnerships with India are already creating new jobs and lifting our industrial capability here at home – emphasising the benefits that come from working strategically with our international partners to tackle shared issues.”
~ Head of the Australian Space Agency Enrico Palermo
Highlights of our space partnership with India
India is one of our enduring partners, with space cooperation a key component that covers mutual areas of strategic importance such as advanced manufacturing, space exploration, AI, cyber security, and space situational awareness. Some of the milestones of our collaboration include:
- Space cooperation formalised through signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in 2021.
- India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership continues fostering collaborative projects between space companies from start-ups to major government projects.
- $18 million investment in collaborative space projects as part of the International Space Investment Initiative India Project program.
- Australia helped track India’s historic landing on the South Pole of the Moon in 2023.
- Australia will support India’s inspirational Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight Program through our leading space tracking expertise and formalised through implementing Arrangements signed in November and December 2024.
Earlier this month, Australia’s support for the Gaganyaan mission marked a milestone as ISRO’s tracking antenna, control container, storage, and mess containers arrived at the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. India's historic mission is expected to launch from its Satish Dhawan Space Centre next month.
Applications now open
The Australian space industry can apply for the latest round of funding before Monday 16 March 2026.
The latest from Australia’s space sector
The latest from Australia’s space sector
Main image caption: Head of the Australian Space Agency Enrico Palermo speaking to an Indian delegation during their visit to the Agency's headquarters in September 2024.