IAF GNF Session: India's space exploration endeavour; International Perspectives and opportunities

Day: Thursday 8 May 2025
Time: 16:35 - 17:15 IST
Location: Grand Ballroom, India International Convention & Expo Centre (IICC) - Yashoboomi

During the last decades, the achievements by India as a space faring nation have been without precedence. From the early days of INCOSPAR in the 60's, then the establishment of ISRO in 1972 , India has excelled in all space domains ever since.

The exploration programmes such as the Chandrayaan missions have been hugely successful and the latest plans for building a space station, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) and the Manned Lunar missions all included in the 2047 Space Vision clearly illustrate India's vision to be at the forefront of the world wide space exploration endeavours.

Reaching out for cooperation with other Space Agencies on working together on major programs such as the Chandrayaan 5 program with JAXA and on the Venus Orbitor Mission with many international partners signify the major opportunities for other nations to work together with ISRO on space exploration projects.

India can be truly seen as an example for space-aspiring nations the experience of which will be addressed during the panel discussion. The panel discussion will be preceeded by a key note address from one of the leading space agencies.

Keynote

Dai ASOH

Project Manager, Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) Project Team, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

Japan

Moderator

Pieter VAN BEEKHUIZEN

Chairman, Netherlands Space Society (NVR)

Netherlands

Speakers

Michael LOPEZ-ALEGRIA

Chief of the Astronaut Office and Ax-1 Mission Commander, Axiom Space, LLC

United States

Daniel NEUENSCHWANDER

Director of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes, European Space Agency (ESA)

France

A. RAJARAJAN

Distinguished Scientist and Director of Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

India

Jill SMYTH

Director for Space Exploration Planning, Coordination and Advanced Concepts, Canadian Space Agency (CSA)

Canada