Executive Summary:
The Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX) 2025, co-hosted by ISRO and ASI under the IAF, was held in New Delhi from May 7-9, 2025. The conference, themed "Reaching New Worlds: A Space Exploration Renaissance," aimed to promote international cooperation, share technical information, and discuss solutions for space exploration challenges. It attracted over 1,700 participants from 36 countries and featured various sessions, presentations, and exhibitions.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **GLEX 2025 Overview:**
* Hosted by ISRO and ASI under IAF in New Delhi from May 7-9, 2025.
* Theme: "Reaching New Worlds: A Space Exploration Renaissance."
* Attracted over 1,700 participants from 36 countries.
* Featured 6 Plenary sessions, 3 Highlight Lectures, 8 Global Networking Forums, and 650 Technical presentations.
* **Objectives and Themes:**
* Objectives: Foster international cooperation, share technical and policy information, and discuss collaborative solutions.
* Thematic areas included international cooperation, lunar/Mars exploration, space vehicles, space bioastronautics, space resources, space policy, AI impact, and empowering the next generation.
* **ISRO and ASI Role:**
* ISRO co-hosted the event and was involved in finalizing themes, technical sessions, and paper selection.
* Provided logistical support and facilitated interaction between Indian scientists/students and global experts.
* **International Collaboration:**
* 231 foreign delegates from 36 nations participated.
* ISRO held bilateral meetings with space agencies and industries to enhance India's space exploration capabilities.
* **Public Engagement:**
* Astronaut Chapter and outreach events were conducted, including interactions at IIT Delhi and the Department of Biotechnology.
* An Astronaut interaction event at Yashobhoomi engaged 350 students.
* A Space Exhibition showcased global advancements and India's space ecosystem.
Impact Analysis:
* **International Space Community:**
* Impact: Opportunity to collaborate, share knowledge, and discuss solutions for space exploration challenges.
* Action Required: Participate in future GLEX events and engage in collaborative projects.
* **Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Astronautical Society of India (ASI):**
* Impact: Enhanced global visibility, opportunity to showcase capabilities, and strengthened international partnerships.
* Action Required: Continue to foster international collaborations and leverage insights gained from the conference.
* **Indian Scientists, Students, and Institutions:**
* Impact: Access to global experts, exposure to cutting-edge research, and inspiration for future space endeavors.
* Action Required: Engage in research and development activities related to space exploration.
* **General Public and Youth:**
* Impact: Increased awareness and interest in space exploration.
* Action Required: Engage with space-related content and consider careers in STEM fields.
Key Entities Referenced
Global Space Exploration Conference GLEX 2025: An international conference focused on space exploration, co-hosted by ISRO and ASI under the aegis of IAF.
Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO: The primary space agency of India, involved in organizing GLEX 2025.
Astronautical Society of India ASI: An Indian organization involved in organizing GLEX 2025.
International Astronautical Federation IAF: An international space organization under whose aegis GLEX 2025 was held.
New Delhi: The city in India where GLEX 2025 was held.
Yashobhoomi, New Delhi: The venue in New Delhi where GLEX 2025 was held.
Gaganyaan: India's human spaceflight programme.
Department of Space DoS: The Indian government department responsible for space activities.
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.
****