ISRO arm NSIL signs $18-million deal with Australian government for commercial satellite launch
New Delhi: The Australian government has signed an $18-million memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Announced by Australian High Commissioner Philip Green, the partnership will see Australian firm Space Machines launch a satellite inspection and observation payload aboard ISRO's Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) in 2026. This payload will be the largest Australian satellite launched to date, according to Rajat Kulshrestha, co-founder of Space Machines.
Australian High Commissioner Philip Green emphasized that this partnership marks a significant step in Australia's space engagement with India. The collaboration will enable Australian satellites to be launched from Indian soil, elevating the bilateral space cooperation to new heights.
S. Somanath, Chairman of ISRO, outlined an ambitious vision for the future, aiming for 20-30 SSLV launches annually to meet the growing demand for small satellite launch services. He also highlighted the broader goal of increasing capacity and capability in India's space missions, including the ambition to land an Indian astronaut on the moon by 2040.
The partnership will involve several stakeholders in India's private space economy, including domestic space-engineering firm Ananth Technologies, which has previously supplied components and engineering services to ISRO. The privatisation of SSLV is ongoing, with six bidders identified, and the final decision pending.
This collaboration comes at a time when India's commercial space activities face a downturn due to a lack of internal demand. Despite this, India’s private space sector has attracted $370 million in investments to date, with Skyroot Aerospace leading with $95 million. The deal with Australia is one of India's first significant cross-border investments in the space sector since its privatisation in 2020.
ISRO and the Australian government announced plans for joint space conferences in November to further enhance collaboration between the two space economies.
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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
