BANGALORE: Officials of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) along with the Indian Meteorological Department and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have been in discussions to formalize collaborative studies. "We are exchanging a lot of information based on data collected by our satellites as well as the earth observation satellites of NASA. We will be beginning joint programmes soon to study and analyse data," ISRO chairman K. Kasturirangan told IANS. "We are, in fact, planning to spread out this work to various institutions involved in biosphere and geosphere studies like the Institute of Oceanographic Studies as well as some good universities," he added. Indo-U.S. relations in science as in several other sectors were strained when the U.S. imposed sanctions after India conducted nuclear tests in 1998. But the events of 9/11 and the changed geo-political situation globally restored some semblance of balance in the relations. Senior officials of NASA, including James Dodge, director of earth sciences, went gone on record on the sidelines of the Indian Science Congress in January to say that NASA required Indian brainpower to analyse the massive data emanating from its earth observation satellites. "There are very positive developments in respect of establishing relations with the U.S. One of them is studying and analysing data from our satellites," Kasturirangan said. For instance, the U.S. and Indian scientists have been attempting to perfect the system of predicting monsoon using different mathematical models. "We are in the process of appointing project investigators on both sides. India will be an equal partner," said V. Jayaraman, programme director, ISRO (geosphere and biosphere programme). A follow-up conference to the meeting held in Maryland in December 2002 is also being planned to finalise arrangements for the earth science study. Officials say that earth science was a good way to start cooperation in other scientific areas. The conference is expected precede an India-U.S. space conference scheduled to be held early next year to exploit the "substantial market potential" with the focus on the use of space science, environmental monitoring and global satellite navigation for developmental purposes.
Source: IANS