ISRO signs agreement with Australian Space Agency for Gaganyaan mission

Bengaluru: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has signed an Implementation Agreement (IA) with the Australian Space Agency (ASA) to enhance cooperation in space activities, particularly in the area of human spaceflight.

The agreement, signed on November 20, establishes collaboration between the two agencies on crew and crew module recovery for Gaganyaan, India's first crewed spaceflight program. The IA was finalized by D K Singh, Director of ISRO's Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC), in Bengaluru, and Jarrod Powell, General Manager of ASA's Space Capability Branch, in Canberra.

Gaganyaan aims to demonstrate ISRO’s capability to carry out a Low Earth Orbit mission with an Indian Crew Module carrying up to three astronauts for a duration of up to three days. The program also prioritizes the safe recovery of the crew module upon completion of the mission.

Under the agreement, Australia will support India in search-and-rescue operations and crew module recovery during the ascent phase in case of any contingencies near Australian waters.

Highlighting the strategic partnership, ISRO noted, "India and Australia are enduring strategic partners, and both space agencies are committed to exploring current and future collaboration opportunities."

This collaboration strengthens the growing ties between the two nations in the field of space exploration and paves the way for future joint ventures.

With PTI inputs