June 6, 2018
The agreement will allow cooperation in technology and applications, including remote sensing of Earth, satellite based navigation, space science and planetary exploration, use of spacecraft and space systems and ground system, and application of space technology
The agreement includes setting up of a joint working group, drawing members from the Indian Government’s Department of Space and ISRO, and Oman’s MTC, which will further work out the plan of action to implement the bilateral partnership in space sciences
The deal comes amid ISRO’s growing international popularity owing to its successes in launching satellites for foreign clients on the back of its advanced indigenous technologies and record-low costs. As a result, Oman has expressed intent to collaborate with ISRO
Over the past three years, ISRO helped launch a total of 169 foreign satellites from 23 countries. Last year, ISRO launched 104 satellites in a single mission, setting a world record; The total number of space missions for the coming three years has been pegged at 57
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved a preliminary agreement between the state-run Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and Oman’s Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) in relation to cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. The agreement, first announced in February 2018, will allow cooperation in technology and applications, including remote sensing of Earth, satellite based navigation, space science and planetary exploration, use of spacecraft and space systems and ground system, and application of space technology. The agreement will set up a joint working group, drawing members from the Indian Government’s Department of Space and ISRO, and Oman’s MTC, which will further work out the plan of action to implement the agreement.
The partnership comes amid ISRO’s growing international popularity owing to its successes in launching satellites for foreign clients on the back of its advanced indigenous technologies and record-low costs. As a result, Oman expressed intent to collaborate with ISRO to build its national space programme. To aid this bilateral cooperation, a four -member delegation from Oman’s Department of Communication had visited ISRO in March 2011 and interacted with the space agency’s officials and also visited its technical facilities. Following this, Oman conveyed interest to pursue cooperation on space applications and programmes with ISRO to the Indian Ambassador in Oman in May 2016. This dialogue helped the nations in reaching an agreement on the peaceful uses of outer space that will aid innovations on both sides.
As part of it global outreach, ISRO is working on a programme to support the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries with crucial data from India’s remote sensing satellites. Besides receiving and processing data from the Indian remote sensing satellites RESOURCESAT-2 and OCEANSAT-2, the ASEAN states will also receive training in space science, technology and applications. India pursues cooperation in peaceful usages of space technology with space agencies of 43 nations and five multilateral bodies. Over the past three years, ISRO helped launch a total of 169 foreign satellites from 23 countries. Last year, ISRO launched 104 satellites in a single mission, setting a world record. The total number of space missions for the coming three years – 2018-2020 – has been pegged at 57.