BRICS countries deepen space cooperation to address global challenges

Over the past few years, BRICS countries have been deepening cooperation in space technology, expanding from joint satellite projects to broader data sharing, disaster monitoring, and climate-change response.

A major step dates back to May 25, 2022, when representatives from the space agencies of the original five BRICS members – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – held the first meeting of the BRICS Joint Committee on Space Cooperation, officially establishing the mechanism.

The committee aims to enhance collaboration among BRICS space agencies and promote the use of remote sensing satellite data in areas including environmental protection, disaster prevention and mitigation, and climate change response. By improving data sharing and application, the mechanism is expected to provide new momentum for sustainable economic and social development across BRICS countries.

The cooperation builds on an initiative China launched in 2015 to establish a BRICS remote sensing satellite constellation. In August 2021, the five BRICS space agencies signed an agreement outlining a "six satellites, five ground stations" cooperation model.

The constellation brings together six existing satellites from member countries, including China's Gaofen-6 and Ziyuan-3 02 satellites, the China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite 04 (CBERS-04), Russia's Kanopus-V type satellite, and India's Resourcesat-2 and Resourcesat-2A satellites. Each country has a ground receiving station.

According to the China National Space Administration (CNSA), the constellation was designed to better support the socioeconomic development of BRICS countries, provide better access to shared sensing satellite data among the five countries and improve data processing capacity. The constellation will also help build high-quality partnerships among BRICS countries.

Remote sensing satellite technology, with its wide coverage, high resolution and global observation capabilities, has become an increasingly important tool for addressing global challenges in the 21st century, such as climate change, food security and water resource management, said CNSA.

The China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite (CBERS) program, launched more than three decades ago, is widely regarded as a model of South-South scientific cooperation.

The CBERS series, jointly developed by China and Brazil, has produced six satellites. The currently operational CBERS-04 and CBERS-04A satellites support applications including weather monitoring, forest protection and disaster prevention. The program also contributes satellite data to broader BRICS remote sensing cooperation.

BRICS countries are also expanding cooperation in satellite navigation. In 2026, China and Russia committed to implementing the 2026-2030 cooperation roadmap in satellite navigation, strengthening compatibility between China's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System and Russia's GLONASS system.

China has also worked with South Africa to promote applications of BeiDou and global navigation satellite systems in areas such as precision agriculture, transportation and logistics, and public security.

Expanding cooperation to address global challenges

At the BRICS Heads of Space Agencies (HOSA) Meeting held in Bengaluru, India, in June 2026, representatives from the expanded BRICS membership, including Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, discussed further strengthening cooperation in peaceful space exploration and the long-term sustainability of space activities.

The delegations discussed the potential of BRICS cooperation to use space technologies to address global challenges, particularly in remote sensing, disaster management and climate change. The meeting also made progress in amending the BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation Agreement to include new members and discussed details of a proposed BRICS Space Council.

Strengthening international space data cooperation

China has emphasized space cooperation by providing wider access to satellite technology and data applications.

Li Guoping, chief engineer of the CNSA, said at the 2026 Wenchang International Aviation & Aerospace Forum in Hainan in August that the CNSA will continue to promote open and inclusive space cooperation by expanding international collaboration in satellite data applications, building secure and efficient cross-border remote sensing data platforms, and supporting countries, especially developing countries, in improving their space capabilities.

The CNSA will also strengthen cooperation through multilateral mechanisms such as the BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation, promote exchanges in space talent development, and work with international partners on issues including space traffic management and the long-term sustainability of outer space, said Li.