RT team
The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has been informed of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) inked on November 1, 2023, between the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC). This MoU, operating under the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication, and Innovation of the Republic of Mauritius, focuses on the collaborative development of a Joint Small Satellite.
Key Points:
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Framework for Cooperation: The MoU establishes a framework for cooperation between ISRO and MRIC, encompassing the development of a joint satellite and the utilization of MRIC’s Ground Station.
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Industry Participation: Several subsystems for the joint satellite will involve the participation of Indian industries, contributing to economic growth and employment generation.
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Strategic Support: Collaboration in satellite development ensures continued support from the Mauritius Government for ISRO’s ground station in Mauritius, crucial for India’s launch vehicle and satellite missions.
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Implementation Timeline: The joint satellite realization is set to be completed within 15 months.
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Cost: The estimated cost for this joint satellite project is Rs. 20 crore, funded by the Government of India.
Background:
India’s space cooperation with Mauritius dates back to the late 1980s when ISRO established a ground station in Mauritius for tracking and telemetry support. The current collaboration is governed by a country-level agreement signed in 2009.
The MoU was signed during the visit of the Minister of State (MEA) to Mauritius for the ‘Aapravasi Diwas’ event, responding to MRIC’s interest in jointly building a small satellite for Mauritius, with MEA providing funding for realization, launch, and operation.
This partnership signifies a significant step in advancing space cooperation between India and Mauritius.
Source: PM India
