key takeaways from the “ISRO-JAXA virtual meeting”

What is the news?

Indian Space Research Organization(ISRO) and the Japanese space agency, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency(JAXA) held a virtual meeting.

What are the key takeaways from the ISRO-JAXA virtual meeting?

• India and Japan agreed to explore opportunities for cooperation in space situational awareness and professional exchange programmes.
• They have signed an Implementing Arrangement for collaborative activities on rice crop area and air quality monitoring using satellite data.
• Further, the two agencies also reviewed ongoing cooperation to launch a joint lunar polar exploration(LUPEX) mission.

About Lunar Polar Exploration(LUPEX) Mission:

• LUPEX is a robotic lunar mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
• Aim: The mission aims to send a lunar rover and lander to explore the South Pole region of the Moon in 2024.
• Objective: The mission will demonstrate new surface exploration technologies related to vehicular transport. It will also test lunar night survival capabilities for sustainable lunar exploration in the South Pole region of the moon.
• Contribution: JAXA is likely to provide the H3 launch vehicle and the rover. While ISRO would be responsible for the lander for this mission.

India’s Space Cooperation with other countries:

• India and Italy have decided to explore opportunities in earth observation, space science, and robotic and human exploration.
• India and Australia are also in discussions. Australia may host vital tracking infrastructure to support the Gaganyaan manned space flight mission.

Source: The Hindu

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