Isro will set up unit in Moscow to develop technology needed for Gaganyaan mission
To give a boost to the country’s human spaceflight program or Gaganyaan mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) will set up an Isro technical liaison unit (ITLU) in Moscow that will help collaborate with space agencies and industries in Russia and neighboring countries. The Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave its approval for the unit.
Isro needs this Moscow unit to accelerate its Gaganyaan program as the agency requires the “development of some key technologies and establishment of specialized facilities, which are essential to support life in space”, a statement said.
With PM Narendra Modi fixing the 2022 deadline for the Gaganyaan mission, under which India would send three astronauts to space for seven days, Isro has to avail of technical cooperation with Russia, which has already demonstrated its technical capabilities in sending cosmonauts to space.
In the last week of June, Isro had signed an agreement with Russian launch service provider Glavkosmos for providing advanced training to its astronauts for the space mission.
The process to set up an ITLU office, which would be managed by an Isro scientist or engineer designated as “counselor (space)”, will be completed in six months. Isro will spend around Rs 1.5 crore per annum for maintaining this unit.
The liaison officers will provide technical information about developments in research and technology and inputs arising from their meetings with researchers, government agencies, and industries in their respective countries. Department of Space had earlier set up such units in Washington and Paris.
Cabinet OKs MoUs with Bolivia, Bahrain:
The Cabinet on Wednesday also approved memorandums of understanding with Bolivia and Bahrain for space exploration and the use of outer space for peaceful purposes. The MoUs will enable the cooperation with two countries in space applications such as remote sensing, satellite communication, and satellite-based navigation, space science and planetary exploration, use of spacecraft, space systems and ground systems and application of space technology. The ITLU Moscow office would be managed by an ISRO Scientist/Engineer designated as “Counsellor (Space)” on deputation, deputed from ISRO, and supported by staff locally sourced. The process is planned to be completed within six months from the date of approval.
The Liaison Officers provide technical information about the developments in research and technology and inputs arising from their meetings with researchers, government agencies, and industries in the respective countries. They also support the ongoing bilateral programs of cooperation in space technology and act on behalf of ISRO on the matters referred.
Space cooperation has been one of the major links between India and Russia almost from the beginning of the space era and currently, both sides are actively pursuing interactions in diversified areas of the space program. Apart from intensifying cooperation with Russia, India has expanded its space cooperation with countries near Russia. This calls for extensive uninterrupted coordination & interface support for an increased level of international technical collaboration.
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