Cabinet apprised of ISRO-KISR MoU for joint space exploration

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet was today apprised of an agreement between ISRO and a Kuwaiti research body on cooperation in exploration of outer space and use of space technology for peaceful purposes.

The memorandum of understanding will enable pursuing potential interest areas in both cooperative and commercial mode. These include use of data from Indian Remote Sensing satellites by Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research ( KISR) for initiating research and application projects, training, and building and launching of remote sensing and communication satellites on commercial terms.

The MoU will lead to setting up of a Joint Working Group, drawing members from ISRO and KISR, which will further work out the plan of action including the time-frame and the means of implementing the agreement, an official statement said here.

"Cooperation with KISR through this MoU will lead to developing a joint activity in the field of application of space technology for the benefit of humanity...(it) will provide impetus to explore newer research activities and application possibilities in the field of remote sensing of the earth; satellite communication; satellite navigation; space science and exploration of outer space," it said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today briefed the Union Cabinet about the successful launch of the fifth navigation satellite IRNSS-1E on-board the workhorse PSLV-C31 from Sriharikota this morning.

"The Cabinet applauded the ISRO, the scientists and others involved with the project," Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters at the Cabinet briefing here.