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International Space Summit in Paris: 90 Countries, 50 Projects, IRIS² Programme, ISRO Participates

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
10 Sept 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:90 countries50+ projectsSeptember 9-10, 2026IRIS²2027 SpaceX Dragon/Falcon 9Thomas Pesquet (Commander)
Bodies:NASAESAISROVastSpaceX
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.Two-day International Space Summit began at the Grand Palais, Paris, on September 9, 2026; 90 countries and 50+ expected project signings announced.

2.Macron confirmed Europe's IRIS² satellite programme; Greece's Adrianos Golemis named first Greek astronaut on a private ISS mission.

3.ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan led Indian delegation; met Hungary, scheduled to meet ESA and other delegations — relevant for India's space diplomacy.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The two-day International Space Summit began in Paris on September 9, 2026, with French President Emmanuel Macron announcing participation of 90 countries and over 50 project signings. Key highlights include Europe's IRIS² satellite programme, Greece's first astronaut on a private ISS mission, and an ISRO-led Indian delegation. This is a high-yield current affairs topic linking space diplomacy, European strategic autonomy, and India's global space cooperation.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Summit DatesSeptember 9-10, 2026
VenueGrand Palais, Paris
Participating Countries90
Expected ProjectsMore than 50
Key ProgrammeIRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite)
First Greek AstronautAdrianos Golemis (flight surgeon) — private ISS mission
Mission Details2027, SpaceX Dragon + Falcon 9; Commander Thomas Pesquet, Pilot Aleš Svoboda
Indian DelegationISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Summit Dates: September 9-10, 2026
  • ›Venue: Grand Palais, Paris
  • ›Target this Data: 90 countries, 50+ projects, September 9-10, 2026, Grand Palais, Paris
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: ISRO (Indian delegation led by Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan) and European Space Agency (ESA)
  • ›Target this Programme: IRIS² — Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite (European programme)
  • ›Target this Mission: Vast mission 2027, SpaceX Dragon/Falcon 9; Commander Thomas Pesquet, Pilot Aleš Svoboda

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which space agency awarded the first private astronaut mission to the International Space Station to Vast, as mentioned in the news?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements:

1. The International Space Summit is a two-day event held at the Grand Palais in Paris with participation of 90 countries.

2. IRIS² is an Indian satellite programme for providing high-speed internet to rural areas.

3. Greek astronaut Adrianos Golemis will be the first astronaut from Greece to embark on a private mission to the International Space Station.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricEasy

According to French President Emmanuel Macron, how many projects are expected to be signed during the International Space Summit?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary objective of the IRIS² programme as described in the news?

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