Parliament Question: GLEX 2025

O.I.H.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 568 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2025 GLEX 2025

568. SMT. SHOBHANABEN MAHENDRASINH BARAIYA:

SMT. SMITA UDAY WAGH:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

(a) the objectives and main themes of Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX) 2025 and the total number of delegates and countries participated in the event;

(b) the role of Indian institutions like Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Astronautical Society of India in organizing GLEX 2025 and the manner in which the said event promote India's leadership in global space exploration;

(c) the extent of international collaboration and participation in GLEX 2025 and the manner in which these collaborations are expected to strengthen India's space exploration capabilities; and

(d) the details of measures taken to engage the general public and inspire the youth during GLEX 2025? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

****(a) The fourth edition of the Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX-2025) was successfully held from 7th to 9th May 2025 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, co-hosted by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Astronautical Society of India (ASI) under the aegis of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF). With the theme “Reaching New Worlds: A Space Exploration Renaissance”, the event marked a milestone for India’s growing leadership in global space affairs and became the largest IAF Global Conference ever held, attracting more than 1,700 participants from 36 countries.

The primary objectives of GLEX 2025, were to foster international cooperation in space exploration, share technical and policy information, and discuss collaborative solutions and challenges.

GLEX 2025 featured 6 Plenary sessions, 3 Highlight Lectures, 8 Global Networking Forums and 650 Technical presentations comprising of oral and interactive presentation covering 15 thematic areas. The themes were:

1) International Cooperation, Challenges, and New Horizons

2) Lunar, Mars, Near-Earth Asteroids, Deep Space Exploration

3) Space Vehicles for Exploration & Propulsion for Deep Space

4) System Engineering and Long-Term Space Travel

5) Space Bioastronautics, Space Medicine, Life Support Systems

6) Microgravity Science and Experiments

7) Space Resources Utilisation and Space Economy8) Sustainable Space Logistics & Key Technologies

9) Navigation, Guidance and Control for Deep Space Missions

10) Space Finance, Investment and Insurance

11) Space Policy, Sustainability and Legal Aspects

12) Space Stations & Challenges

13) Ground-Based Preparatory Activities

14) AI Impact & Autonomy on Space Exploration

15) Empowering the Next Generation of Space Explorers

(b) The GLEX-2025 was organised by International Astronautical Federation (IAF) and jointly hosted at New Delhi by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Astronautical Society of India (ASI). ISRO was involved in finalising the theme & technical sessions and selection of papers, apart from providing logistics support in organising this international event. Organising this event in India has contributed in benefiting the Indian space ecosystems from the technical papers, discussion and exhibitions by the global space community. The event enabled many of the scientists and students from Indian universities and institutions to interact with domain experts and from various space agencies and Astronauts.

(c) GLEX had 40 technical sessions and 02 interactive presentation sessions in which 650 technical papers were presented. 231 Foreign delegates from 36 Nations were among the 1700 dignitaries across space ecosystem, including Astronauts, Space Agency leaders, Industry leaders and students, who participated in this conference. On the sidelines of this conference, ISRO had bilateral meetings withofficials of space agencies and space industries from other nations. Such interactions both at individual and entity-level are expected to pave way for collaboration to enhance India’s capabilities in space exploration.

(d) As part of GLEX 2025, Astronaut Chapter and Outreach events were held. For the Astronaut Chapter, 10 International astronauts including Gaganyaan Astronaut designates also participated. Multiple outreach events were planned at Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, Department of Biotechnology for interaction of students and researchers. A dedicated Astronaut interaction event was planned at Yashobhoomi wherein more than 350 students from various school participated and closely engaged with Astronauts. Astronauts also participated in public day as part of GLEX programme and interacted with media and general public.

GLEX-2025 featured a Space Exhibition, which drew wide attention from delegates and the public. With participation from leading space agencies, industries, start-ups, and academic institutions, the exhibition highlighted both global advancements and India’s emerging private space ecosystem.

The Department of Space (DoS) Pavilion received around 2,000 visitors, offering insights into ISRO’s missions and technological capabilities. ****