NASA signs pact with ISRO to use Oceansat-2 data
20 Nov 2009
US space agency NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) has signed an agreement with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for the use of data from Indian satellite Oceansat-2 by various American agencies for research, including weather forecasting.
Launched on 23 September this year from Sriharikota using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, Oceansat-2 is designed to provide service continuity for operational users of the ocean colour monitor (OCM) instrument on Oceansat-1.
The agreement will lead to the use of data from Oceansat-2 for various US agencies for research, education and other activities of public good.
The Letter of Intent in this regard was signed by Michael H Freilich, director, earth science division, NASA; Mary E Kicza, assistant administrator for satellite and information science of the oceanic and atmospheric administration; and R R Navalgund, director, space application centre, ISRO.
The signing ceremony took place in Washington on Thursday on the sidelines of sixth plenary session of the group on earth observations.
India's deputy chief of mission Arun K Singh and Deviprasad Karnik, counsellor (space), were also present on the occasion.
Oceansat-2 contains eight bands of the OCM to study ocean biology, Ku band pencil beam, scatterometer to measure sea surface wind vectors and radio occultation sounder for atmospheric conditions.
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