MoU between ISRO and the UAE Space Agency

The government has given its nod for signing an MoU between ISRO and the UAE Space Agency (UAESA), a move that will lead to setting up a Joint Working Group between the two agencies and will help in cooperation in the exploration of outer space for peaceful purposes.

Details:

• This MoU will help in cooperation in the exploration of outer space for peaceful purposes, especially in the field to study Mars.
• The MoU would result in setting up a Joint Working Group with members from Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and UAESA, which will further chalk out a plan of action including the time-frame and the means of implementing it.

UAE Mars mission:

The Emirates Mars Mission orbiter is set to arrive at Mars in 2021 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the founding of the UAE. The rocket is expected to blast off from the Earth during a brief “launch window” in July 2020 and is set to arrive at Mars in 2021. The move is remarkable as the UAE will be the only Gulf nation to have embarked on such ambitious project.