Amazon Web Services (AWS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) to strengthen India’s space capabilities. The MoU aims to develop talent in the areas of cloud and space technologies, promote startups, and enhance research and development.

As part of the agreement, AWS will offer space startups free access to tools, resources, and expert technical support through its AWS Activate program. Additionally, the three organizations will collaborate on an initiative to train students and educators in fields such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), analytics, and security. This training will be conducted using AWS education programs.

Shalini Kapoor, Director and Chief Technologist for Public Sector at AWS India and South Asia, expressed AWS’s commitment to assisting startups in identifying use cases, accelerating solution development, and building a strong talent pool in India with expertise in cloud and space technologies. Kapoor stated, “We look forward to helping customers in India build space-tech solutions to make life on Earth better.”

This collaborative effort comes at a time when India’s space industry is experiencing significant momentum, with upcoming missions such as the Chandrayaan-3 moon landing and the Aditya L-1 mission, along with the government’s targeted Indian Space Policy for 2023. The MoU between AWS, ISRO, and IN-SPACe aims to utilize these opportunities to further enhance India’s space capabilities and foster innovation in the sector.