Cabinet approves two MoUs signed with South Africa, Brunei

The Union cabinet Wednesday approved a memorandum of understanding between India and South Africa on cooperation for exploration and uses of the outer space for peaceful purposes, an official statement said.

The MoU is one of the three pacts signed between India and South Africa in Johannesburg on July 26 during the 10th BRICS Summit.

The cooperation under this MoU encompasses areas like remote-sensing of the Earth, satellite communication and satellite-based navigation, space science and planetary exploration, use of spacecraft, launch vehicles, space systems and ground systems.

This MoU envisages to plan and implement joint space projects of mutual benefit and interest, establishment, operation and maintenance of ground stations for supporting space activities, sharing of satellite data, results of experiments, and scientific and technological information.

The cabinet also approved another MoU between India and Brunei on cooperation in the operation of telemetry tracking and telecommand station for satellite and launch vehicles, and for cooperation in the field of space research, science and applications.

The MoU was signed in New Delhi on July 19.

The pact will enable India to continue to operate, maintain and augment its ground station meant for supporting India's launch vehicle and satellite missions.

"This will also help India to share its experience and expertise in space activities through training of officials and students from Brunei Darussalam on space technology applications," another official statement stated.