India, Finland to cooperate in outer space

India’s Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved a preliminary agreement with Finland on cooperation in outer space

February 13, 2019

India’s state-run space agency Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and its commercial arm, Antrix, have built a name for themselves globally in space research and satellite launches

This deal will include cooperation in remote sensing of earth, satellite communication and navigation, space science and planetary exploration, launching of Finnish space objects by India

Last month, ISRO successfully launched the Microsat-R and Kalamsat-V2 satellites, while in December, ISRO launched its heaviest and most-advanced communication satellite GSAT-11

India currently has more than 50 operational satellites. In 2019, ISRO expects to launch 12 to 14 missions, including the long expected India’s second mission to the moon, Chandrayaan II

India’s Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved a preliminary agreement with Finland on cooperation in outer space. The agreement, first signed in January 2019, will provide impetus to newer research and development activities in remote sensing of the earth, satellite communication, satellite navigation, space science and exploration of outer space. India’s state-run space agency Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and its commercial arm, Antrix, have built a name for themselves globally in space research and satellite launches, attracting multiple international partnerships every year.

This deal will include cooperation in – (1) Remote sensing of the earth; (2) Satellite communication and satellite based navigation; (3) Space science and planetary exploration; (4) Development, testing and operation of space objects and ground system; (5) Launching of Finnish space objects by Indian launch vehicles; (6) Processing and use of space data; (7) Developing innovative applications, solutions based on space technologies and use of artificial intelligence; (8) Cooperation in new space opportunities and data ecosystems and sustainable use of outer space. The deals come in the background of Finland’s interest in space cooperation.

Last month, ISRO successfully launched the Microsat-R and Kalamsat-V2 satellites. While in December, ISRO launched its heaviest and most-advanced communication satellite GSAT-11, in November, it launched an earth observation satellite from India named Hyper-Spectral Imaging Satellite (HysIS) as well as 31 customer satellites from eight foreign countries. The launch of 31 satellites in November came 15 days after the GSLV MkIII-D2 mission which injected the GSAT-29 communication satellite. India currently has more than 50 operational satellites. In 2019, ISRO expects to launch 12 to 14 missions, including the Chandrayaan II.

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