Archive · 13 Sep 2026
BRICS Summit Advances Satellite Network and Space Sustainability Plans
BRICS countries are working together to use satellites that watch Earth.
Their satellite network is called the Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation.
The network includes satellites from India, China and Russia.
The countries are updating an agreement so more space agencies can join.
They also prepared rules for a possible BRICS Space Council.
Leaders discussed how to reduce space debris.
Space debris is leftover material that can make space travel dangerous.
They said keeping space safe and usable for a long time is important.
The 18th BRICS Summit’s New Delhi Declaration recognized progress on amending the Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation Agreement.
The amendment would allow additional space agencies to join the BRICS satellite network.
The virtual network currently includes observation satellites from India, China and Russia.
BRICS leaders drafted Terms of Reference for a BRICS Space Council.
The declaration stressed space-debris mitigation and the long-term sustainability of outer-space activities.
- Who
- BRICS member countries, their space agencies and leaders attending the 18th BRICS Summit.
- What
- The summit’s declaration acknowledged progress on expanding the BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation and addressed space sustainability.
- When
- During the ongoing 18th BRICS Summit; the declaration refers to discussions held at a BRICS Heads of Space Agencies meeting in Bengaluru.
- Where
- New Delhi, with related space-agency discussions held in Bengaluru, India.
- Why
- To enable additional space agencies to join the satellite network and support debris mitigation and the long-term sustainability of outer-space activities.
- Summit
- 18th BRICS Summit
- Declaration
- New Delhi Declaration
- Satellite network
- BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation
- Current satellite examples
- India’s Resourcesat 2 and 2A; China’s Gaofen-6 and Ziyuan III 02; and Russia’s Kanopus-V type
- Planned institution
- BRICS Space Council
- Main sustainability issue
- Space-debris mitigation
- Related meeting
- BRICS Heads of Space Agencies meeting in Bengaluru