Saint-Hubert, Bangalore, India, March 27, 2003 – Today, Dr. Marc Garneau, President of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Dr. Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), reaffirming their pursuit of international space cooperation for peaceful purposes while working towards economic and social development for both countries.
“The scope and breadth of India’s space program is impressive”, noted Dr. Garneau. “The ISRO program is both ambitious and diversified. The Memorandum lays the framework for continuing cooperation in projects and activities in which we share a common interest. It recognizes the similarities in the objectives and vision of our space programs and reflects the determination of our organizations to continue to work closely together to generate concrete economic, technological and scientific benefits for our citizens and humanity.”
“I am pleased to welcome Dr. Garneau and his delegation to India and to have signed this Memorandum today”, said Dr. Kasturirangan. “We share common needs for telecommunications, meteorology, disaster warning as well as natural resources management and environmental monitoring. This renewed collaboration between CSA and ISRO demonstrates our mutual commitment to pursue common projects and develop business alliances benefiting both of our countries, now and into the future.”
The Memorandum will foster the study of cooperative programs in satellite communications and satellite remote sensing as well as encouraging cooperation in the field of exploration and use of space by the private sector and academia in both countries. Both parties also signed a letter referring to the several projects and activities in which ISRO and CSA have a joint interest. Such projects include: the possible participation in a Moon Orbiter mission, an agreement for Launch Early Operations Phases – which could be applied for the upcoming launch of SCISAT-1; the support of the United Nation Space Science and Technology Education Centre in India; and collaboration in the ASTROSAT/UVIT (Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope) mission.
The signing of the Memorandum took place at ISRO Headquarters in Bangalore, India. In attendance with Dr. Garneau were representatives of the Canadian space industry: Communications Research Centre, BOT Engineering, COM DEV, EMS Technologies Canada, ICT Development Group, Info-Electronics Systems, MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA), Oasis Geomatics Inc., PCI Geomatics, RADARSAT International (RSI), TATA Consultancy Services.
About the Canadian Space Agency Established in 1989 with its headquarters situated in Saint-Hubert, Quebec, the Canadian Space Agency coordinates all aspects of the Canadian Space Program. Through its Space Knowledge, Applications and Industry Development business line, the CSA delivers services involving: Earth and the Environment; Space Science; Human Presence in Space; Satellite Communications; Space Technology; Space Qualification Services; Space Awareness and Education. The Canadian Space Agency is at the forefront of the development and application of space knowledge for the benefit of Canadians and humanity.
About the Indian Space Research Organization Indian Space Research Organisation, ISRO, under the Department of Space, has the prime objective of developing space technology and its application to various national tasks. Since its establishment in 1969, ISRO has established space systems like the INSAT for telecommunication, television broadcasting and meteorological services and the Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS) for resources monitoring and management. ISRO has also developed satellite launch vehicles, PSLV and GSLV, for placing satellites in Polar orbits as well as geostationary orbits. Research in space sciences is also pursued actively.