A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is signed between Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Bengaluru and Central University of Himachal Pradesh (CUHP), Dharamshala for cooperation in the areas of Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Astronomy and Astrophysics by Shri Shantanu Bhatawdekar, Scientific Secretary, ISRO and Prof. Sat Prakash Bansal, Vice-Chancellor CUHP.

Continuous analysis of the collision threats posed by growing number of space objects is essential to safeguard Indian space assets. Reliable Indian space activities require tracking and monitoring these objects with the help of observational facilities. This leads to mounting interest in Space Situational Awareness and need for capabilities to track and monitor not just the operational satellites but the non-functional uncontrolled space debris. This MoU will pave the way for future collaborations between ISRO and CUHP in establishing the observational facilities specifically ground based optical sensors for space object tracking, deep space exploration, R&D related to astrophysics and Near Earth Objects (NEO).

Dr. A. K. Anilkumar, Director, Directorate of Space Situational Awareness & Management (DSSAM), Dr. P. Sreekumar, Satish Dhawan Professor, ISRO, Dr. Tirtha Pratim Das, Director, Science Programme Office (SPO), Shri. Deva Arul Daniel, Associate Director, DSSAM, Dr. Bikram Pradhan, Deputy Programme Manager, DSSAM were present from ISRO side. Faculties of the Department of Physics and Astronomical Sciences (DPAS), CUHP, Prof. Hum Chand, Dean, School of Physical and Material Science, Prof. Vishal Sood, Registrar, CUHP were also present.