According to the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC), the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the MRIC to collaborate in the development and operation of an Earth Observation (EO) satellite for Mauritius. The partnership is set to last for 15 months and includes the design, assembly, integration, testing, launch, and operation of the satellite.

Under the agreement, ISRO and MRIC will work together in various aspects of the project. MRIC engineers will receive training at ISRO’s facilities in India to develop the satellite platform, associated systems, and the primary payload. They will also be involved in milestone reviews and assembly, integration, and testing activities to gain hands-on experience.

Additionally, ISRO and MRIC will collaborate to register the EO satellite as a recognized space object with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA). They will also ensure the necessary steps are taken to register the satellite’s frequencies with the International Telecommunication Union.

To determine the optimal payload for the Mauritian satellite, MRIC conducted a survey among governmental research institutions in Mauritius. The findings indicated that a multispectral imager would be the most suitable choice. This specialized camera captures various frequency bands of light and, when processed with appropriate software, provides valuable data for monitoring both land and sea surfaces. This data will contribute to informed decision-making and enhance scientific research in the country.

The collaboration between ISRO and MRIC exemplifies the shared commitment to space exploration and technology development between India and Mauritius. The MoU sets in motion a comprehensive plan for the development and operation of an EO satellite that will benefit Mauritius in various sectors, including agriculture, climate monitoring, resource management, and disaster management.