Jitendra Singh pitches ‘BRICS Space Economy’ as next frontier of global growth
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Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh has just thrown down a gauntlet, urging BRICS nations to forge a powerful 'BRICS Space Economy' as the next major engine of global growth. This bold proposal, made at the BRICS Heads of Space Agencies (HOSA) meeting in Bengaluru, signifies a concerted effort by the expanded bloc to collectively tap into the rapidly expanding global space sector, currently valued at over $460 billion and projected to hit $1 trillion by 2035. India, hosting the two-day summit under its 2026 Chairship, is clearly positioning the grouping to move beyond dialogue and into concrete co-development and co-innovation in space. This isn't just talk; the meeting, attended by 26 delegates from 10 BRICS+ nations including new members like Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE, reviewed tangible progress on the BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation (RSSC) and pushed forward discussions on establishing a dedicated BRICS Space Council. The ambition is clear: leverage the combined scientific, technological, and industrial might of these nations to address shared developmental priorities, from disaster management to climate change monitoring. With India's burgeoning NewSpace sector now boasting over 400 startups and its own space economy forecast to exceed $40 billion within a decade, the move reflects a strategic pivot towards a multipolar space order where emerging powers seek to shape global space governance and reduce reliance on traditional space powers. The focus now shifts to the upcoming BRICS Summit in New Delhi in September, where proposals like the BRICS Space Council and the expanded RSSC are expected to be formalized in the outcome document. Future collaborations will likely zero in on Space Sustainability, ensuring debris-free missions, and fostering technology transfer and investment across member states. The success of this 'BRICS Space Economy' will depend on navigating geopolitical complexities and effectively harmonizing diverse national space programs, but if successful, it could fundamentally reshape access to space technology for the Global South and accelerate collective solutions to global challenges.