Indian, French space agencies sign pact for human space mission

The Indian and French space agencies on Thursday signed an agreement for cooperation in human space flight programme, specifically on sharing of expertise in space medicine, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said.

According to the Indian space agency, an implementing arrangement between its Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) and the French National Space Agency (CNES) was exchanged for cooperation concerning human spaceflight programme, specifically on sharing of expertise in space medicine.

The agreement was signed during French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean Yves Le Drian's visited to the ISRO headquarters in Bengaluru.

ISRO Chairman and Space Secretary, K.Sivan, and other officials of both the countries were present during the occasion.

The French Minister, with his delegation, also visited ISRO's HSFC where details of India's human space flight programme Gaganyaan including the full-size model of crew module were explained to him.

The visiting minister was given a presentation of the evolution and achievements of Indian space programme, India-France space cooperation and details of the recent space reforms announced by the Indian government, ISRO said.