France and India on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), seeking to strengthen the bilateral cooperation between the two nations in the space sector.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) on Megha Tropiques signed an MoU to extend the joint project for sharing and use of data from the satellite for two more years.
The Indo-French Megha Tropiques satellite was launched on board the Indian launch vehicle, PSLV on October 12, 2011.
ISRO, CNES and Office National d'Etudes et de Recherches Aerospatiales (ONERA) signed an MoU for Ka-band propagation experiment over Indian tropical region.
The MoU envisages cooperation for implementation of the project concerning Ka- band propagation experiment over Indian tropical region.
The main objective is to collect Ka-Band attenuation data using available Ka-Band transmission and perform analysis along with corresponding radio meter and meteorological data.
Meanwhile, a Programme between ISRO and French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) was also initiated.
The agreement proposes cooperation in the areas of Satellite Remote sensing, satellite communications and satellite meteorology; space sciences and planetary exploration; data collection and location; operations of satellite ground stations and spacecraft mission management; space research and applications.
It covers the potential cooperation activities such as joint earth observation mission, hosted payload opportunities and Mars exploration.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Hollande released stamps to mark 50 years of Indo-French cooperation. The two leaders also held a meeting wherein they reviewed relations between the two countries and discussed matters pertaining to defence, nuclear, economics, culture, education and people to people ties.
Prime Minister Modi addressed the august gathering at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) headquarters in Paris earlier in the day.
The Prime Minister, who is currently on the first leg on his three-nation nine-day tour, arrived at the UNESCO headquarters at Place de Fontenoy, Paris today.
Prime Minister Modi was also accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Elysee Palace in Paris.
Prime Minister Modi will reach the German city of Hannover on Sunday on the second leg of his visit. He will reach Canadian capital Ottawa on Tuesday on the final leg of his visit.
