New Delhi News: ISRO’s arm NSIL to launch largest Australian satellite

New Delhi : New Delhi Australian-Indian Space Services Branch Australian-Indian space services arm Space Machines Company has signed a launch services agreement with ISRO’s commercial arm NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL) for the launch of the second Optimus spacecraft weighing 450 kg, the heaviest Australian designed and built spacecraft to date, reports Surendra Singh. Scheduled for launch in 2026 on NSIL’s new mini rocket Small Satellite Launch Vehicle, the mission, named Space Maitri (Australia-India Mission for Technology, Research and Innovation), will mark a defining moment for the two countries in the field of space cooperation. Mission Around the Earth

Will solve the problem of increasing levels of space debris.

Space Maitri is funded with an $8.5 million grant from the Australian Space Agency At the India Space Congress 2024 held in Delhi, Space Machines Company CEO and Co-Founder Rajat Kulshreshtha and NSIL CMD Radhakrishnan Durairaj formally announced the signing of the agreement. The Space Maitri mission promotes friendship between Australia and India, showcasing innovative space technologies from Australia’s rapidly growing commercial space sector.

This collaboration aims to inspire future explorers and foster international cooperation in sustainable space activities. India focuses on promoting small satellite launches and reducing space access costs to include new participants. PM Narendra Modi has envisioned expanding human space activity, aiming to land on the Moon by 2040. ISRO works towards enhancing space capabilities and talent for upcoming missions.