Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) have cleared the decks for increased cooperation.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed yesterday envisages cooperation between the two Space Agencies in the peaceful uses of outer space and is expected to open up an enduring relationship between the two countries in studies related to satellite communications, operation of satellite ground operations and satellite mission management. The MoU also covers the areas of space based remote sensing, meteorology applications, use of sounding rockets, balloons and ground based facilities for space research and applications of space technology.

The agreement will also enable exchange of technical and scientific personnel to participate in studies and joint working groups to examine specific uses, according to the Indian space agency.

The MoU was signed yesterday by Isro chairman Dr K Kasturirangan and Dr Mucio Roberto Dias, president, AEB. Minister of state (space), Vasundhara Raje and Brazilian minister for science and technology Ronaldo Mota Sardenberg, were present on the occasion.