Space Day 2025: How BRICS countries build extraterrestrial future

The whole world remembers mankind's first step into space on 12 April. In 1961, Yury Gagarin did not just fly around the Earth – he opened an era in which space flight became a matter of time, technology and will. Today, countries in the Global South are also looking beyond the planet. BRICS has developed a special view of the extraterrestrial – a pragmatic, cooperative one.

Russia is rightly considered a pioneer of space. Gagarin's flight in 1961 ushered in a new era for all mankind. Two years later, Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space. These symbolic figures still remain the cultural basis for the entire world's cosmonautics.

India opened its space in 1984 when Rakesh Sharma travelled into orbit as part of a Soviet crew. Today, the country is independently launching satellites, developing Martian missions and preparing to launch its own manned programme. This is not only technological growth, but also an element of pride – in 2024, the country celebrated National Space Day for the first time.

China is going its own route, relying on domestic resources and long-term planning. In 2003, Yang Liwei became China's first astronaut, inaugurating a series of successful launches, including the creation of an orbital station. Wang Yaping later became the first female member of her crew.

The United Arab Emirates became the first Arab country to send its own astronaut. In 2019, Hazzaa Al Mansoori spent eight days on the ISS, and in 2021, Emirates launched the Martian mission "Hope" – the probe entered the orbit of the Red Planet and transmits scientific data.

Brazil started its journey thanks to international cooperation. In 2006, Marcos Pontes flew into space on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. This was not just a personal achievement, but a fulcrum for the development of the national programme. Today, the country emphasises satellite technology and remote environmental monitoring.

South Africa is actively involved in international space start-ups and satellite development. Engineer Timothy Nash represents a new generation of technicians, and South Africa's national space agency SANSA is working on an Earth sensing satellite system.

Egypt is actively strengthening its presence in space through the work of its national agency EgSA, which is focusing on building regional space infrastructure.

Ethiopia began its movement with a practical goal: meteorology and agriculture. In 2016, the Ethiopian Institute of Space Science and Technology was established. In 2019, the country launched its first satellite. For Ethiopia, as for many countries in the Global South, space is primarily a tool for earthly tasks: water management, crop forecasting, climate monitoring.

When the future is close: AI, cooperation, and space

Against the backdrop of technological development, the question is increasingly being asked: what is the role of humans in the space of the future? Russian IT entrepreneur Ruslan Akhtiyamov believes that AI is already playing a key role in space missions.

"Mars rovers themselves decide where to go. Telescopes analyse mountains of images. Without AI, scientists would simply drown in data," he told TV BRICS.

Akhtiyamov added that there are also active developments in the BRICS countries: in Russia – in the lunar programme, in China – in the orbital station, in India – in the Martian mission. In the coming years, AI will become an indispensable member of the crew, although the decision in critical situations remains with humans.

What is about a new space economy? This is a question faced in Iran. Vahid Yazdanian, the Head of Iran's Space Research Institute, emphasises to Mehr News Agency, a partner of TV BRICS, that space is an industry that requires investment and international cooperation.

"Our employees work with dedication. We must create better conditions for them, develop infrastructure, standards and interaction with the private sector," he said.

Vahid Yazdanian emphasised that one of the main tasks for the future is to build the space industry's own ecosystem with a focus on technology, human resources and sustainable development.

Photo: "History.RF" / iStock / CCTV