The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its nod to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC).
Read More: Bomb scare at Kolkata’s 200-year-old ‘Indian museum’
The agreement, which was inked on November 1, 2023, in Port Louis, Mauritius, lays the groundwork for the joint development of a small satellite.
The MoU is set to establish a robust framework for cooperation, leveraging the MRIC’s Ground Station and involving the participation of Indian industries in the development of some of the satellite’s subsystems. This partnership is expected to not only enhance industrial capabilities but also generate employment opportunities within India.
This collaborative effort will ensure continued support from the Mauritian Government for the Indian ground station located in Mauritius, which plays a pivotal role in Isro’s launch vehicle and satellite missions.
Furthermore, the joint satellite project will secure MRIC’s backing for Isro‘s future small satellite missions through their ground station facilities.
The implementation of this MoU is projected to lead to the realisation of the joint small satellite within a 15-month period. The Government of India has earmarked an estimated Rs. 20 crore for the development of the joint satellite, with no additional exchange of funds between the two parties involved.
The roots of space cooperation between India and Mauritius trace back to the late 1980s when Isro established a ground station in Mauritius to provide tracking and telemetry support for its missions.
The current framework for space cooperation is governed by an agreement signed on July 29, 2009, which replaced the initial 1986 agreement.
The initiative for the joint satellite emerged from MRIC’s interest in developing a small satellite for Mauritius. Following this expression of interest, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) prompted Isro to commence discussions with MRIC.
Read More: PhonePe Appoints Ritesh Pai As CEO Of International Payments
The resulting MoU, funded by the MEA for the satellite‘s realisation, launch, and operation, was signed during the ‘Aapravasi Diwas’ event attended by the Minister of State for MEA in Mauritius.
