New Delhi
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital, and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a Navaratna Defence Public Sector Unit (PSU). This collaboration will focus on developing Space Situational Awareness (SSA) technologies to enhance tracking of space objects like near-Earth objects and artificial satellites, aiming to ensure the safety of satellites and users.
The MoU was signed at BEL’s Ghaziabad unit. It is considered a step toward strengthening India’s capabilities in space surveillance and supports the government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make-in-India’ initiatives. The partnership will focus on predicting and preventing possible collisions between space objects, protecting important space infrastructure.
ARIES and BEL will use advanced telescopes, including the 4m International Liquid Mirror Telescope (ILMT), to collect data. The collaboration will also involve the development of image processing techniques, data analytics software, and new instruments. Joint efforts will be made in setting up laboratories, and workshops will be held to train experts in SSA technologies. ARIES will contribute its knowledge of space weather.
The agreement was signed by Prof. Dipankar Banerjee from ARIES and Rashmi Kathuria from BEL, along with senior representatives from both organizations.
