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India-Japan Space Collaboration: Evolution, Expansion and Emerging Frontiers
- Kaveri Jain
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
New Delhi. December 2. 2025
Is humanity alone in the universe, or does life exist beyond Earth? India and Japan have come together to pursue these fundamental questions through one of the world’s most ambitious astronomy projects-the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT). This next-generation observatory- with its 30-meter primary mirror composed of 500 precisely aligned hexagonal segments- represents a technological leap in optical-infrared astronomy. With nanometer-level precision, the TMT will enable scientists to probe the origins of galaxies, study black holes, analyze exoplanet atmospheres and search for chemical signatures associated with life. Its capability is three times that of today’s leading telescopes, which typically range between 8 and 10 meters in diameter.
India and Japan play crucial and complementary roles in this megaproject. India contributes advanced opto-mechanical mirror control systems, ensuring the synchronous functioning of all 500 mirror segments. Japan brings its extensive experience from decades of operating at the Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawaii, where the TMT is slated to be established. Together with Caltech, the University of California, the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), the Inter-University Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune and the Aryabhatta Research Institute for Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital, the TMT has emerged as a landmark in international scientific collaboration.
While protests by Native Hawaiian groups have slowed construction at Mauna Kea, India and Japan remain committed to the scientific vision of the TMT. Preservation of indigenous rights, ecological sensitivity and the cultural significance of the mountain are the main concerns. Because of these delays, the TMT International Observatory has considered alternative sites with Hanle in Ladakh (home to the Indian Astronomical Observatory)- due to its clear skies (270 clear nights per year), minimal light pollution and high altitude (4517 metres above mean sea level). The Roque de los Muchachos Observatory in La Palma in the Canary Islands, Spain, has also been identified by the TMT Board as the primary international backup site should the construction in Hawaii remain stalled. Despite these challenges, the project is expected to become operational by the mid-2030s. The TMT stands poised to become humanity’s most powerful tool in the search for extra-terrestrial life.
The TMT is not an isolated effort but part of a growing India-Japan partnership in space exploration. Beyond deep-space astronomy, both nations are also increasing cooperation in planetary exploration. Their ongoing collaboration on LUPEX (Lunar Polar Exploration Mission), also referred to as Chandrayaan-5, highlights a shared commitment to exploring the lunar south pole for water-ice by 2028. Japan’s contributions include the H3 launch vehicle, a sophisticated 350-kg rover and robotic exploration systems, while India provides the lander and additional rover instruments. Japan’s admiration for India’s successful lunar landing has strengthened mutual trust and respect, reinforcing the momentum of joint missions.
Image CG of the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) project (Source: JAXA)
Together, initiatives like LUPEX and the TMT deepen India-Japan strategic cooperation in space, combining technological strengths and scientific expertise. These projects mark a significant step toward shaping a future in which both nations contribute meaningfully to humanity’s understanding of the cosmos. These collaborations between Japan’s Aerospace Agency, JAXA and the Indian Space Research Organisation, ISRO, deepen mutual understanding in the field of space technology and also create a solid base for synergy in industry and startup-driven innovation.
Space cooperation between the two nations goes back to the 1960s, when India established its first rocket launching station- the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Located on the magnetic equator, it became a hub for international cooperation in sounding rocket research, with scientists from Japan, especially Tokyo University, working alongside partners from France and the US. This early collaboration resulted in a long-term partnership in space projects that has steadily expanded over the decades.
A significant step in strengthening the relationship came in 2005, when ISRO and JAXA signed the "Arrangement concerning the Considerations of Potential Future Cooperation in the Field of Outer Space". Since then, the agencies have been working together in areas as lunar exploration, satellite navigation, X-ray astronomy and participation in the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF). The relationship was enhanced even further with the Memorandum of Understanding in 2016, which emphasized cooperation in peaceful activities of space exploration and led to specific project-related Implementation Arrangements, including:
Radio occultation experiments on JAXA's Akatsuki (Planet-C) Venus mission (2017).
Rainfall measurement and satellite data applications (2018).
APRSAF/SAFE Agromet project (2019).
High-level meetings have been instrumental in keeping up the pace of developments. As a result of a bilateral meeting in 2021, chaired by ISRO Chairman Dr. K. Sivan and JAXA President Dr. Hiroshi Yamakawa, the two sides agreed to use satellite data for rice crop area mapping and air-quality monitoring. The Second Japan-India Space Dialogue in November 2021 widened the topics of discussion to include space security, SSA, GNSS cooperation and industry collaboration. In August 2023, the head of Japan's National Space Policy Committee, Dr. Saku Tsuneta, met with ISRO Chairman Shri S. Somanath to deliberate on current and future collaborations, with special attention to the LUPEX mission.
Recent developments further highlight this continued momentum. Collaboration between Japan-based Infostellar and India-based Dhruva Space for exploring the integration of Dhruva Space’s 3.8m S&X-band ground station antenna in Hyderabad into Infostellar’s Cloud-based StellarStation platform marks a major milestone in commercial space cooperation between the two nations. This partnership is aimed at enhancing ground station capabilities for global satellite operations. In addition to this, both countries collaborate actively under the Sentinel Asia Initiative, an international collaboration for applying remote sensing and web-GIS technology to support disaster management in the Asia-Pacific region.
India and Japan have also institutionalised their engagement through regular space dialogues. The latest 3rd India-Japan Space dialogue was held in Tokyo on April 1, 2025. The dialogue provided a platform to exchange information on national space policies and discuss ISRO-JAXA collaborations, space situational awareness (SSA), international rules and norms related to space security, Quad space cooperation and other areas of mutual interest. Marking the beginning of the “Japan India Science Technology and Innovation Exchange Year”, the dialogue was a very timely and relevant exchange in boosting mutual understanding. Both nations are committed to holding this dialogue regularly to ensure deeper cooperation and steady progress.
To sum up, the joint space endeavour of India and Japan is an excellent example of the growing strategic and technological convergence between the two countries. It covers planetary science, satellite applications, space security, disaster management and future exploration missions. Together, these shifts signal the emergence of new frontiers in India-Japan space cooperation. The expansion in the scope of cooperation from traditional scientific exchanges to advanced astrophysics, lunar exploration, commercial space systems and environmental security indicates a partnership maturing not only in its technological sophistication but also in its strategic significance. The next phase of the bilateral space partnership is essentially framed by these frontiers.
Additionally, these collaborations are consistent with the broader Indo-Pacific objectives- supporting open, secure and rules-based access to outer space, helping maintain regional stability and consolidating the emerging space agenda of the Quad (strategic forum consisting of India, Japan, Australia and the US). The combination of their scientific and technological capabilities means that India and Japan are moulding the future in space, substantially advancing human understanding of the universe.
About the Author
Kaveri Jain is a doctoral researcher in International Relations at the Amity Institute of International Studies, Amity University, Noida. Her work focuses on India-Japan relations during the Shinzo Abe era. She has presented at academic conferences, published in peer-reviewed platforms and written on various aspects of India-Japan ties, including foreign policy, technology cooperation, cultural exchange, diaspora diplomacy and engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.
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