ISRO to Take Cooperation with European, Israeli Space Agencies to Higher Orbit

The Indian Space Research Organisation is in talks with European and Israeli space organisations to improve collaboration and explore possible areas of collaboration. Last week, Mr. K Sivan, Secretary of the Department of Space and Chairman of ISRO, conducted virtual discussions with Mr. Avi Blasberger, Director General of the Israel Space Agency (ISA), and Mr. Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA).

Mr. Sivan and Mr. Blasberger discussed the status of current projects, such as collaboration on tiny satellite electric propulsion systems and the GEO-LEO (Geosynchronous Earth Orbit-Low Earth Orbit) optical connection.

They also discussed future collaboration opportunities, such as the launch of Israeli satellites from an Indian launcher and commemorating the 75^th anniversary of India’s independence and the 30^th anniversary of India-Israel diplomatic relations with an appropriate event in 2022, according to an ISRO statement.

The state of continuing cooperative operations in earth observation, space science, satellite navigation, space situational awareness, and human space travel was assessed by Mr. Sivan and Mr. Aschbacher.

Recently, an ISRO-ESA agreement on network and operations cross-support was inked, allowing the use of ground stations to assist each other’s spacecraft missions.

“They decided to create theme working groups,” the Bengaluru-based space agency stated, “to examine possible prospects for working together to further strengthen ISRO-ESA collaboration.”

“The collaboration between @ESA and @ISRO is a priority for me on the ESA’s international agenda.

As India’s space portfolio grows, more chances for collaboration between our agencies are on the horizon “, tweeted Mr. Aschbacher.