ISRO and ESA sign Earth-observation pact to support FLEX, Chandrayaan and Aditya missions

Direct fact

On 4 March 2026, ISRO and the European Space Agency (ESA) signed a virtual agreement to strengthen cooperation in Earth observation missions, with M. Ganesh Pillai and Simonetta Cheli as signatories.

Key specifics

• The partnership between ISRO and ESA began in 1978.
• The pact covers joint calibration, validation activities and scientific studies for Earth observation.
• A major focus is the Fluorescence Explorer (FLEX) mission.
• The collaboration also includes ground station support for Chandrayaan and Aditya missions.
• Deep-space communications are also part of the cooperation framework.

Exam lens

Science and technology current affairs, 1978 partnership, FLEX mission, Chandrayaan and Aditya support are the key facts; TNPSC may ask the date of signing and the names of the agencies.