India-Indonesia: Cooperation On Outer Space
The Union Cabinet on 6 February, 2019, gave approval to the Framework Agreement between India and Indonesia on cooperation in the exploration and uses of outer space for peaceful purposes. The Framework Agreement was signed and exchanged at Jakarta on 30 May, 2018.
Background
India and Indonesia pursue space cooperation for more than two decades and Indian Space Research Organisation has established ground stations at Biak, Indonesia to provide Telemetry Tracking and Command (TTC) support for ISRO’s launch vehicle and satellite missions. This cooperation currently pursued under agency level (ISRO- Indonesian National Institute of Aeronautics and Space -LAPAN)MoUs signed in 1997 and 2002.
Considering the above, ISRO and LAPAN have negotiated a draft Framework Agreement between India and Indonesia on cooperation in the exploration and uses of outer space for peaceful purposes and arrived at mutually agreed version during the meeting between India and Indonesia held at Jakarta during April 23-26, 2018.
Significance
This Framework Agreement shall enable areas of cooperation such as, space science, exploration of outer space, use of space technology, remote sensing of the earth operation and maintenance of the integrated BIAK TTC station, hosting of Indian ground station, in kind support for launching LAPAN made satellites, cross utilization of ground stations etc. This agreement will help in establishing ISRO’s TTC station and IRIMS station at Indonesia.
