DST and DRDO Join Hands to Strengthen India’s Space Surveillance

In a significant move to enhance India’s space surveillance capabilities, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have entered into a strategic partnership. The agreement was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital, and Instruments Research & Development Establishment (IRDE), Dehradun. This collaboration aims to strengthen India’s ground-based Space Situational Awareness (SSA) through the joint use of cutting-edge observational facilities and research expertise.

Why in News?

On 13th May 2025, an MoU was signed between ARIES (an autonomous DST institute) and IRDE (a DRDO lab), marking a milestone in bolstering India’s space security and surveillance capabilities through collaboration on ground-based SSA technologies.

Key Objectives of the MoU

• To utilize observational infrastructure at ARIES for monitoring space objects.
• Joint development of Electro-Optics based systems for astronomy and SSA.
• Advancement in image processing and data analysis using AI and ML.
• Facilitating knowledge exchange, capacity building, and joint R&D.

Institutes Involved

• ARIES, Nainital (DST): A premier research institute in astronomy, astrophysics, and atmospheric sciences.
• Hosts the 3.6 m Devasthal Optical Telescope, one of the largest in Asia.
• Equipped with advanced atmospheric monitoring systems like the ST Radar.
• IRDE, Dehradun (DRDO): Specializes in Electro-Optical surveillance systems for defense platforms (ground, naval, air, space).

Highlights of the MoU

• Joint development of SSA applications using ARIES’ scientific infrastructure.
• Promotion of AI/ML-based analytics in image and data processing.
• Encouragement of scientific exchange and technical training.
• Strengthened collaboration due to the geographical proximity of both institutions in Uttarakhand, allowing seamless interaction and operational synergy.

Significance

• Enhances India’s capabilities in space surveillance, critical for national security.
• Supports India’s ambitions in space exploration and satellite monitoring.
• Reflects a model of inter-agency scientific collaboration between civil and defense institutions.