Stretching The Space Muscle: India To Train Scientists From Other Countries Lacking Satellite-Building Ability

Indian space agency ISRO will open up its expertise in building and launching satellites for scientists from other nations like the UAE and African nations that currently lack the technical know-how, Times of India has reported.

The initiative was announced by ISRO chairman K Sivan at the UNISPACE+50 conference in Vienna. The meet was held as a commemorative event for the fiftieth anniversary of the UN Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE).

“India has taken the initiative to train scientists of countries like UAE and African nations that lack the technical knowhow and capability to build a satellite. India won’t charge for this capacity-building programme but will play a role in shortlisting scientists for the training programme” Sivan was quoted as saying in the report.

India will also launch the satellite built by the ISRO-trained scientists if they clear all the necessary tests. The move was welcomed by other members of the group.

The four-member Indian delegation, led by the Sivan also held bilateral talks with teams from 12 other member nations, including Israel, Japan and France. India is now among the leading space powers in the world, renowned for its efficient and cheap satellite building and launch capabilities.