Australia keen to access Isro's space data

IRNSS will provide data for orbit determination of satellites and monitoring of navigation signal

To guard its 59,736-km-long coastline against tsunami and storms, Australia is keen to collaborate with Isro for scientific space data.

Australia has shown interest in getting data from Indian satellite Oceansat-2, which can measure ocean colour, a specialised property.

Measuring ocean colour helps to know in advance about tsunami risks and other storms, and also in evaluating shallow water depth, said Andy Barnicoat, Chief of Minerals and Natural Hazard Division at Geoscience Australia.

"Australia has a 59,736-km-long coastline and with data from Oceansat-2, we can know in advance about tsunami and other storms. We would like to have access to high resolution data from Indian Space Research Organisation," Barnicoat told PTI.

Oceansat-2 is an Indian satellite designed to provide service continuity for operational users of the Ocean Colour Monitor (OCM) instrument on Oceansat-1.

Oceansat-2 is used to study surface winds and ocean surface strata, observe chlorophyll concentrations, monitor phytoplankton blooms and study atmospheric aerosols and suspended sediments in water.

Australia is also keen to have access to positioning satellite system of India.

The Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) is an autonomous navigation system being developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation.

IRNSS is a network of 21 ranging stations located across the country and will provide data for the orbit determination of the satellites and monitoring of the navigation signal.

The Indian positioning satellite flies past Australia in its orbit. So, it does have some foot prints about Australia and we are keen to access it, Barnicoat said.

Also, Australia wants precise data from new microwave satellite RISAT, which can monitor precise ground level changes. It also boasts of foot print satellite laser facility which will help in precise calculation of orbits. It also has the capability of taking images of Earth during day and night, as well as in cloudy conditions.

Barnicoat said he will be meeting Isro officials in Bangalore soon.