Amazon Web Services signs MoU with ISRO, IN-SPACE to support space technologies using cloud services
(AWS) has signed a memorandum of understanding with ISRO and IN-SPACE to promote space technology innovation through cloud computing.
The collaboration with ISRO and the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) is aimed at enabling space startups, research institutes and students to access cloud technologies through AWS Activate for new solutions in the space sector, AWS said in a statement Wednesday.
The collaboration follows the government’s approval of India’s Space Policy 2023 in April, which provides a strategic plan to grow and develop India’s space program using cloud computing, data, artificial intelligence and machine learning.
AWS India and South Asia director and chief technologist, public sector, Shalini Kapoor said the company is committed to helping start-ups identify use cases, accelerate solution development and build a strong talent pool with cloud and space expertise in India.
“Innovations based on cloud computing enable the space industry to make better decisions, faster – to push the boundaries of what’s possible. We look forward to helping customers in India create space technology solutions to make life better on Earth,” added Kapoor.
ISRO Director of Capacity Building and Public Outreach Sudheer Kumar N said that cloud computing enables rapid management of large volumes of raw space data, besides running AI, ML and analytics tasks to achieve meaningful results in a highly cost-effective manner.
After the Chandrayaan-3 moon landing and the Aditya L-1 mission, the time has come for us to harness the unlimited potential of space technology and cloud computing to take the Indian space sector to new heights. This partnership with AWS is a testament to that, and through it we aim to enable startups, students and researchers to dream beyond the sky, foster innovation and contribute to the global space industry,” said IN-SPACe Director, Promotion Directorate, Vinod Kumar.
The three organizations will also collaborate on a new initiative to train students and educators in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, ML, analytics and security using AWS training programs.