ISRO, Japan inks 'Implementing Arrangement', review cooperation on joint lunar mission

Bengaluru, March 12: Taking their partnership on their level, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) on Thursday signed the Implementing Arrangement in order to collaborate for activities on rice crop area and air quality monitoring using the data from satellites.

 

The Bengaluru headquartered space agency said, "Both agencies signed an ''Implementing Arrangement'' for collaborative activities on rice crop area and air quality monitoring using satellite data."

 

Both the space agencies from both the countries also agreed to explore the opportunities regarding the cooperation in “space situational awareness and professional exchange program”. Both agencies also reviewed their cooperation, on March 11, 2021, in the space arena including earth observation, lunar cooperation, and satellite navigation.

 

 

 

LUPEX mission is the joint Lunar Polar Exploration Mission on which India and Japan are already working. Both the agencies are working on the mission and have aimed to send a lander and rover to the south pole of the Moon by the year 2024 or so.

 

In March India had collaborated with Italy in order to explore the opportunities in space science, earth observation, robotic & human exploration. In the month of February 2021, India had signed an agreement with Australia which amended the existing MoU. The agreement will build on a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. India and Australia are also discussing that Australia should host the vital tracking infrastructure to provide its support for the Gaganyaan manned space flight mission.