Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and Australia’s Space Machines Company (SMC) have formalized a Dedicated Launch Service Agreement at the India Space Congress 2024 in Delhi.
The agreement facilitates the launch of Space Machines Company’s 450kg Optimus spacecraft, scheduled for 2026. This marks a significant milestone in Australia’s space endeavors, being their largest spacecraft designed and built domestically.
The Optimus spacecraft will be launched aboard ISRO’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), underscoring India’s capabilities in providing reliable launch services for international partners.
Dubbed as Space MAITRI (Mission for Australia-India’s Technology, Research and Innovation), the mission symbolizes deepening cooperation between Australia and India in space technology.
NSIL’s Chairman, Radhakrishnan Durairaj, highlighted the agreement as a testament to international collaboration in space and emphasized its role in promoting sustainable space exploration.
Rajat Kulshrestha, CEO of Space Machines Company, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing how the mission integrates Australia’s spacecraft capabilities with India’s launch expertise.
Space MAITRI aims to foster closer ties in space operations and sustainability, focusing on debris management—a crucial aspect for responsible space exploration.
The agreement not only strengthens bilateral ties in space but also underscores both nations’ commitment to sustainable space practices and mitigation of space debris challenges.