NEWS – Recently, the Australian government entered into an $18 million memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) under the Space MAITRI mission.

ABOUT SPACE MAITRI MISSION

• Mission Overview
  • Space MAITRI (Mission for Australia-India’s Technology, Research and Innovation) represents a major step forward in the strategic partnership between India and Australia in the space domain.
• Objectives
  • Foster closer ties between commercial, institutional, and governmental space organizations from both nations.
  • Focus on debris management and sustainability, aligning with both nations’ core values and objectives in promoting responsible space operations.
  • Mitigate the growing threat of space debris.
• Key Developments
  • Under this agreement, NewSpace India Limited will launch Australia’s Space Machines Company’s second Optimus spacecraft in 2026.
  • The 450kg Optimus spacecraft, the largest Australian-designed and built spacecraft to date, will be launched on ISRO’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).

KEY FACTS ABOUT NEWSPACE INDIA LIMITED

• Commercial arm under the Department of Space (DoS), Government of India.
• Incorporated in March 2019
• Aim to take on high technology space-related activities in India.
• NSIL is to undertake operational satellite missions on a “demand-driven” model.
• NewSpace India Limited is headquartered in Bengaluru.