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Canadian Space Agency and India's Space Research Organization
Strengthen International Space Cooperation

Saint-Hubert, Bangalore, India, March 27, 2003 - Today, Dr. Marc
Garneau, President of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), signed a
Memorandum of Understanding with Dr. Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan,
Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO),
reaffirming their pursuit of international space cooperation for
peaceful purposes while working towards economic and social
development for both countries. 

"The scope and breadth of India's space program is impressive", noted
Dr. Garneau. "The ISRO program is both ambitious and diversified. The
Memorandum lays the framework for continuing cooperation in projects
and activities in which we share a common interest. It recognizes the
similarities in the objectives and vision of our space programs and
reflects the determination of our organizations to continue to work
closely together to generate concrete economic, technological and
scientific benefits for our citizens and humanity."

"I am pleased to welcome Dr. Garneau and his delegation to India and
to have signed this Memorandum today", said Dr. Kasturirangan. "We
share common needs for telecommunications, meteorology, disaster
warning as well as natural resources management and environmental
monitoring. This renewed collaboration between CSA and ISRO
demonstrates our mutual commitment to pursue common projects and
develop business alliances benefiting both of our countries, now and
into the future."

The Memorandum will foster the study of cooperative programs in
satellite communications and satellite remote sensing as well as
encouraging cooperation in the field of exploration and use of space
by the private sector and academia in both countries. Both parties
also signed a letter referring to the several projects and activities
in which ISRO and CSA have a joint interest. Such projects include:
the possible participation in a Moon Orbiter mission, an agreement
for Launch Early Operations Phases - which could be applied for the
upcoming launch of SCISAT-1; the support of the United Nation Space
Science and Technology Education Centre in India; and collaboration
in the ASTROSAT/UVIT (Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope) mission.

The signing of the Memorandum took place at ISRO Headquarters in
Bangalore, India. In attendance with Dr. Garneau were representatives
of the Canadian space industry: Communications Research Centre, BOT
Engineering, COM DEV, EMS Technologies Canada, ICT Development Group,
Info-Electronics Systems, MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.
(MDA), Oasis Geomatics Inc., PCI Geomatics, RADARSAT International
(RSI), TATA Consultancy Services.


About the Canadian Space Agency

Established in 1989 with its headquarters situated in Saint-Hubert,
Quebec, the Canadian Space Agency coordinates all aspects of the
Canadian Space Program. Through its Space Knowledge, Applications and
Industry Development business line, the CSA delivers services
involving: Earth and the Environment; Space Science; Human Presence
in Space; Satellite Communications; Space Technology; Space
Qualification Services; Space Awareness and Education. The Canadian
Space Agency is at the forefront of the development and application
of space knowledge for the benefit of Canadians and humanity.


About the Indian Space Research Organization

Indian Space Research Organisation, ISRO, under the Department of
Space, has the prime objective of developing space technology and its
application to various national tasks. Since its establishment in
1969, ISRO has established space systems like the INSAT for
telecommunication, television broadcasting and meteorological
services and the Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS) for resources
monitoring and management. ISRO has also developed satellite launch
vehicles, PSLV and GSLV, for placing satellites in Polar orbits as
well as geostationary orbits.  Research in space sciences is also
pursued actively. 

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Information:
Monique Billette
Media Relations
Canadian Space Agency
Tel: (450) 926-4370
monique.billette{at}space.gc.ca
http://www.space.gc.ca

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