India and Mauritius have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to construct and deploy a joint small satellite in Space, according to a press release.
The MoU was signed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC), marking a significant advance in international space collaboration. It was reportedly signed on November 1 in Port Louis, Mauritius, but was only presented to Indian authorities this Friday.
According to the MoU, the small satellite must be jointly realized within three months.
The deal intends to assist the sector and create jobs by involving Indian firms in the development of parts for the satellite. Under the agreement, Delhi will cover the entire estimated cost of Rs 20 crore ($2.4 million) to build the satellite.
In addition to working together to jointly realize the satellite, the collaboration will also make use of MRIC's ground station.
With the establishment of a ground station in Mauritius in the late 1980s, the ISRO launched a long-standing space relationship that supported its launch vehicle and satellite missions with tracking and telemetry.
The current framework for space cooperation between the two countries is controlled by an agreement signed in 2009.