New Delhi: In a recent update, the Indian Government revealed that it has inked space cooperation agreements with 61 countries and five multilateral bodies. The information was shared by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science & Technology, Atomic Energy, and Space, during a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
The collaborative efforts span various significant areas, including satellite remote sensing, satellite navigation, satellite communication, space science, planetary exploration, and capacity building. These agreements underscore India’s commitment to fostering international cooperation in the field of space exploration.
Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted major collaborative projects, including a joint satellite mission with the United States’ NASA named ‘NISAR’ (NASA ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar), currently in the advanced stages of realization. Additionally, ISRO is collaborating with the French National Space Agency (CNES) on the ‘TRISHNA’ mission, focused on Thermal Infrared Imaging for High-Resolution Natural Resource Assessment.
Furthermore, a feasibility study has been conducted in partnership with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) for a joint lunar polar exploration mission, showcasing India’s expanding footprint in space exploration on the global stage.
The release of the Indian Space Policy – 2023 is a significant milestone, providing the private sector with the freedom to innovate and engage in end-to-end activities in the space domain. The establishment of the India National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) as a single-window agency demonstrates the government’s commitment to promoting, authorizing, and encouraging private sector participation in the space sector.
ISRO’s pursuit of international collaboration aims to enhance the capacity of the Indian space program, advance programmatic priorities, expand the space science and earth observation database, establish wider ground station networks, improve products and services through joint experiments, and create platforms for the inflow of expertise. These initiatives position India as a key player in the global space community, fostering mutual growth and technological advancements.