India and Australia Sign Historic Space Agreement in New Delhi

New Delhi, India – A significant Launch Service Agreement was signed between India’s NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and Australia’s Space Machine Company to enhance space collaboration between the two countries. The event took place in New Delhi and was attended by ISRO chief S Somanath and the Australian High Commissioner to India, Philip Green.

Key Highlights

Philip Green expressed his excitement on social media, stating, “Terrific to witness the signing of a historic Launch Service Agreement between Australia and India. This Space MAIT-RI Mission will mark a defining moment in our space collaboration – the first time an Australian firm has commissioned an Indian-made SSLV, with the launch set to begin in 2026.”

ISRO’s Future Plans

ISRO chief S Somanath discussed the organization’s future missions, including further exploration of the moon. He mentioned that by 2028, ISRO aims to have the first launch of the station, with the BAS first module going on LVM3. He also talked about the Chandrayaan series of missions, which aim to bring samples back from the Moon to Earth.

Australian Support

The Australian High Commissioner highlighted Canberra’s pride in the collaboration and announced that Australia will fund specific partnerships worth Rs 100 crore over the next three years. He emphasized Australia’s commitment to sharing their tracking assets and deep science capabilities for mutual benefit.

Overall, this agreement marks a significant step in the space collaboration between India and Australia, with both nations looking forward to a fruitful partnership.