The Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC) and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) have recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on a significant Earth Observation satellite mission. The agreement was signed in the presence of Hon. Deepak Balgobin, the Minister of Information Technology, Communication, and Innovation of the Republic of Mauritius, and Hon. Shri V. Muraleedharan, the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs & Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs.

Under this MoU, ISRO will be responsible for designing, assembling, integrating, testing, launching, and operating the Earth Observation satellite for Mauritius. The partnership between MRIC and ISRO is expected to span 15 months and will outline the procedures, roles, and obligations of each participating entity.

This collaboration aims to enhance Mauritius’ capabilities in space and satellite technology, enabling the country to develop its capacity further in these fields. It will also facilitate knowledge sharing on the construction and operation of small satellites, as well as the utilization of data derived from these satellites for future research and development.

Additionally, MRIC’s ground station will be used for joint operations related to the satellite’s in-orbit activities. Furthermore, MRIC engineers will receive training at ISRO’s facilities to acquire skills in developing the satellite platform, associated systems, and the primary payload.

Both ISRO and MRIC will work together to register the completed satellite with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

This partnership builds upon Mauritius’ continued efforts in space development. The country successfully launched its first satellite, MIR-SAT 1, in June 2021 through the UNOOSA and JAXA CubeSat Deployment program. Furthermore, Mauritius signed a Framework Agreement with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in the UAE, aligning their objectives for significant growth in space development and satellite technology-related research and development.