Some of the countries from the region including Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Ecuador, Chile, Peru, Venezuela, Bolivia and Nicaragua are reaching out to ISRO for help in developing and building satellites. (Reuters)

Following India’s successful Mars mission a few years ago wherein the Indian Space and Research Organisation (Isro) proved that it is capable of achieving even inter-planetary missions in a cost-effective manner, in addition to having a reliable programme, LatAm countries are now keen on launching their satellites through Isro. Some of the countries from the region including Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Ecuador, Chile, Peru, Venezuela, Bolivia and Nicaragua are reaching out to ISRO for help in developing and building satellites. After Chile, Colombia is now planning to put a satellite in orbit for the first time, which is expected to be launched from India in April. Diplomatic sources told FE that “the nano-satellite belonging to Colombian air force, ‘Facsat1’, is 30 cm long and 10 metres high, and will serve national security, monitor the effects of climate change and prevent emergencies.”

The Brazilian Space Agency (AEB), which already has long-standing space cooperation with China, will head to Bengaluru after the ORF Kalpana Chawla Annual Space Policy Dialogue from February 15 to 17 in New Delhi. Ground stations in Brazil (Alcantara and Cuiaba) have been providing tracking support for Indian satellites (Chandrayaan-I, Megha Tropiques, MOM, and ASTROSAT) on a commercial basis. According to Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan, senior fellow· & head, Nuclear and Space Policy Initiative, Observer Research Foundation, “ Following India’s Mars mission a few years ago we have proven that Isro is capable of achieving even inter-planetary missions in a cost-effective manner, in addition to having a reliable programme.”

Given the research capability that India has, the country should look to assist other countries in similar launches of satellites, she said. She added, “Commercial engagements could produce long-term strategic linkages and India should be mindful of those advantages.” Diplomatic sources confirmed to FE that “Bolivian Space Agency (ABE) has concluded a MoU on space cooperation with Isro. The Indian agency will help to conduct preliminary studies of establishing a ground station in Bolivia for supporting Isro’s space operations and the Indian space agency will depute its experts in the field of agriculture and forestry for giving lectures and interacting with officials”.

The National Aerospace Research and Development Commission of Peru has signed a cooperation agreement with the Indian space agency which will help in training in the interpretation and dissemination of data (satellite images); support the implementation of an astronomical observatory in Moquegua; and in conducting experiments in the atmosphere/ionosphere sounding rockets.