Date:03/07/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/07/03/stories/2005070301250500.htm

Back India, US to explore tie-ups in earth observation, space communication

Our Bureau

Bangalore , July 2

THE first meeting of the India-US Joint Working Group on Civil Space Co-operation has decided to explore possible tie-ups in earth observation, satellite communication and navigation, among other areas.

The group expressed interest in collaborating on a range of earth observation projects.

It will explore the complementarity of data from the Indian IRS and the US Landsat systems, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said in a release.

The US is considering setting up an earth reception station in India for its National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System.

The two sides agreed that the lunar mission Chandrayaan-1 of 2008 would be a good opportunity to begin co-operation in space exploration. NASA payloads have been shortlisted on it and are to be approved by the US administration. Both sides have a shared interest in promoting interoperability among existing and future civil space-based positioning, navigation and timing systems for a global navigation satellite system.

The committee was formed recently as a result of the June 2004 Indo-US meet on space science and held its first meeting at the ISRO headquarters here on June 29 and 30.

Space science, natural hazards research and disaster management support, besides education and training in space, are the other potential areas.

The topics were identified in a vision document on strengthening bilateral ties.

Dr P.S. Goel, member, Space Commission, and Mr Anthony F. Rock, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Washington, co-chaired the meeting.

Twenty-five US delegates from the Department of State, NASA, Departments of Transportation, Commerce, US Geological Survey, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, universities and industry attended the meeting.

From the Indian side, senior officials of the Department of Space, Ministry of External Affairs, ANTRIX Corporation and application agencies concerned took part.