The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate the launch of Nepal’s Munal satellite. The MoU was formalized on Saturday, with Anurag Srivastava, Joint Secretary (North) from MEA, and Arunachalam A, Director from NSIL, representing their respective organizations.
Crux of the Agreement
The Munal satellite, an indigenous project developed by the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), aims to create a vegetation density database of Earth’s surface. This initiative marks a significant milestone in space collaboration between Nepal and India.
Details of the Satellite and Its Launch
The Munal satellite, which has been designed and fabricated with the help of the space startup Antarikchya Pratishan Nepal (APN), is expected to be launched aboard NSIL’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) in the coming months. This follows a launch service agreement signed during External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Nepal in January.
Participants and Impact
The MoU signing ceremony included key figures such as NAST Secretary Rabindra Prasad Dhakal, Surendra Thapa, chargé d’affaires of the Nepal embassy, and Abhas Maskey, founder of APN. This collaboration underscores the strengthening of Nepal-India relations, extending to space research. According to Thapa, this partnership symbolizes the deepening ties between the two countries, while Dhakal highlights the value the satellite will bring to space research in Nepal.
Future Prospects
The Munal satellite features AI-supported imagery functions and is expected to bolster Nepal’s space research capabilities. The engagement signifies potential future collaborations between Nepal and Indian space agencies, marking a significant step in the development of small satellite technology.