ISRO, CNES Ink Pact on Satellite Launch

Indian Space Research Organisation and French Space agency (CNES) signed a partnership agreement in satellite launch technology. The agreement was signed between ISRO Chairman Kiran Kumar and CNES President Jean-Yves Le Gall in the presence of visiting French Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Marc Ayrault.

Indian, French Space Agencies Ink Pact

About Agreement

  • Space cooperation between France and India spans over 50 years and is one of the cornerstones of the Indo-French strategic partnership.
  • ISRO is the second partner of CNES, in terms of volume, after NASA.
  • This agreement will strengthen the CNES-ISRO partnership.
  • It will enable France to benefit from the Indian model of streamlining the costs of space Programmes.
  • Besides, agreement was also signed for equipping Axiom Research Lab՚s lunar rover with two latest-generation CASPEX micro-cameras, developed by CNES in partnership with French firm 3DPlus.

Axiom Research Lab

  • It is leading Indian “NewSpace” start-up put forward TeamIndus, the only Indian team competing for the Google Lunar XPRIZE.
  • CNES is providing cameras to Team Indus rover that will land on moon.

About Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

Image Logo of ISRO
  • Headquarters: Bengaluru
  • Founder: Vikram Sarabhai
  • Founded: 15 August 1969
  • Motto: Space technology in the Service of humankind
  • Its vision is to “harness space technology for national development” .
  • It is managed by the Department of Space, which reports to the Prime Minister of The Republic of India.

About National Centre of Space Research (CNES)

National Centre of Space Research
  • Owner: France
  • Established: 19 December 1961
  • Headquarters: Paris, France
  • It is under the supervision of the French Ministries of Defence and Research.
  • 1965 First French satellite put in orbit.
  • 1969 French Guiana Space Centre completed.
CNES Concentrated Areas

Examrace Team at Aug 21, 2021