ISRO, LAPAN sign deal

JAKARTA (JP): Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the National Institute of Aeronautics of Space (LAPAN) have agreed to establish a telemetry, tracking and command (TT&C) station for satellites and launch vehicles.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreement was signed by ISRO chairman K. Kasturirangan and LAPAN chairman H. Wiryosumartono on Friday in Biak, Irian Jaya.

An Indian embassy statement said that the LAPAN-ISRO TT&C station would be located at LAPAN's premises in Biak, which presently houses facilities for data reception from weather satellites and atmospheric science research.

The statement said that the proposed station would have a full-motion 10-meter antenna for receiving and transmitting signals from and to space vehicles.

It said that the station would supplement ISRO's tracking networking capabilities, which currently supports operational satellite missions for communications, remote sensing and scientific research. (09)