The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC) have recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the development, launch, and operation of an earth observation (EO) satellite for Mauritius.

The partnership, which is set to last for 15 months, will involve the training of MRIC engineers at ISRO’s facilities in India. These engineers will have the opportunity to work closely with ISRO experts to design and develop the satellite platform, including its systems and primary payload. This collaboration will not only enhance the skills of MRIC engineers, but also ensure a smooth transition into the in-orbit operations of the satellite.

The satellite’s primary payload will be a multispectral imager, capable of capturing various frequency bands of light. By processing this data using appropriate software, valuable insights can be obtained for monitoring land and sea surfaces.

In addition to the development and operation of the satellite, ISRO and MRIC also have plans to register the EO satellite as a recognized space object with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) space object registry. They will also register the satellite’s frequencies with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

The Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC) was established in September 2019 as a corporate body. Its primary role is to advise the Mauritian government on matters relating to applied research, innovation, and research and development issues.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is India’s national space agency, focused on utilizing space science, engineering, and technology for the benefit of India and mankind.

Overall, this partnership between ISRO and MRIC signifies a significant step forward in the development of earth observation capabilities for Mauritius, contributing to scientific and technological advancements in the region.