The collaboration highlights the growing role of space technology in diplomacy.
- Munal Satellite is an indigenous satellite developed in Nepal that aims to build a vegetation density database of the Earth’s surface.
- The satellite will use NewSpace India Limited’s (NSIL) Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.
About Space Diplomacy
- It involves leveraging space science and technology to achieve foreign policy goals and strengthen national space capabilities.
Significance for space diplomacy for India
- Global south cooperation: India is investing in building resources and building consensus on common space tech for space exploration. E.g., South Asia Satellite Project.
- National Security: E.g., The India-US space situational awareness agreement can provide access to the U.S. radar and sensor network to mitigate risk to India's space assets.
- International cooperation and Capacity building: to utilise space resources for the expanding population.
- E.g., UNispace Nanosatellite Assembly & Training by ISRO’ (UNNATI) makes an effort to educate Foreign Engineers/Scientists in space sciences.
- Conflict free space: India is committed to using outer space for peaceful purposes and keeping it conflict-free.
- Challenges: Lack of private participation, few missions for deep space exploration, lack of multilateral space partnerships, etc.
India’s International Cooperation in space
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