India, Mauritius collaborate on joint small satellite development

The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC) for the joint development of a Small Satellite. The MoU was signed in Port Louis, Mauritius, on November 1, 2023, under the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication, and Innovation of the Republic of Mauritius.

Key highlights of the MoU

• Cooperative Framework: The MoU establishes a cooperative framework for the joint development of a small satellite and collaboration on the use of MRIC's Ground Station.
• Participation of Indian Industries: Several subsystems for the joint satellite will involve the participation of Indian industries, fostering collaboration and benefiting the industry.
• Continuous Support: Collaboration aims to ensure continuous support from the Mauritius Government for ISRO/India's ground station in Mauritius, crucial for launch vehicle and satellite missions.
• Employment Generation: The involvement of Indian industries in subsystem development may lead to employment generation, contributing to economic growth.
• Implementation Schedule: The MoU outlines a 15-month time frame for the joint realisation of the small satellite between ISRO and MRIC.
• Expenditure Involved: The estimated cost for realising the joint satellite is Rs.20 crore, to be borne by the Government of India. No other exchange of funds is involved in this MoU.

India-Mauritius ties

India and Mauritius have a longstanding space cooperation dating 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.

MRIC expressed interest in jointly building a small satellite, leading to discussions initiated by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The MoU was signed during the visit of the Minister of State (MEA) to Mauritius for the 'Aapravasi Diwas' event.

This collaboration represents a significant step in enhancing space cooperation between the two nations, fostering technological advancements and mutual benefits.