Space science research is mainly carried out in the areas of
astronomy and astrophysi cs, planetary atmosphere and aeronomy, earth sciences
and solar system studies and theoretical physics. The activities are carried
out mainly at Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmadabad and, to a lesser extent, at Space Physics Laboratory, Thiruvananthapuram, Space Applications Centre, Ahmadabad and ISRO Satellite Centre, Bangalore. A programme on geosphere-biosphere research using balloon, rocket and satellite-based experiments to study the effect of anthropogenic activities on the earths environment is continuing. A National Mesophere-stratosphere Radar Facility (NMRF) has been established at Gadanki near Thirupati for study of atmospheric dynamics, atmospheric turbulence and diffusion measurement, study of atmospheric pollutant dispersion, detection of wind shear, cloud physics, etc. The gamma ray burst experiment carried on board SROSS satellites and X-ray Payload on IRS-P3 satellite have helped in furthering research in high energy astronomy. |
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Space-Industry Co-operation
Under space-industry cooperation, over 231 advanced technologies developed by ISRO have been transferred to industry for commercial use. Technology consultancy is also provided to industry. ISRO also utilises the Indian industry capability for the space programme. Certain premier industries in the field of aeronautics, communications and engineering have now set up their own specialised departments to deal with space hardware. In order to market the variety of hardware and services that are available through ISRO, Antrix Corporation Limited, a government-owned company, has been established. Antrix has already signed an important contract with a leading US company for receiving and marketing data from Indian remote sensing satellites globally. Many ground stations all over the world have already been augmented with Indian supplied hardware to receive data from IRS satellites. Several other contracts have also been executed by Antrix.
International Cooperation
International cooperation is an important element of the Indian space programme. The establishment of Equatorial Rocket Launching Station, conduct of SITE and STEP, launches of Aryabhata, Bhaskara I and II, IRS-1A and 1B and APPLE, manned space mission, development of Vikas engine, etc., involved cooperation with several countries including USA, the former Soviet Union, France, Germany, European Space Agency, etc. India has cooperative agreements with several countries like China, France, Germany, Canada, Hungary, Mauritius, Norway, Russia, Sweden, Syria, The Netherlands and Ukraine and space agencies such as the European Space Agency.India shares its own experience with other developing countries by training their personnel under a programme called SHARES (sharing of experience in space).
India has actively participated in international campaigns related to atmospheric research. India has been actively participating in the UN Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and has set up two Local User Terminals (LUT) and Mission Control Centre (MCC) as part of the COSPAS-SARSAT network, under the International Satellite aided search and rescue programme. The UN Asia-Pacific Regional Centre for space Education set up in India in November 1995, is a recognition for India’s role in sharing its experience in the development and application of space technology for social benefits.
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