India and France signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to proceed with the development and implementation of the joint atmospheric satellite mission "Megha-Tropiques" The MoU was signed by Mr. G. Madhavan Nair, Chairman ISRO and Mr. Yannick d’Escatha, President, French National Space Centre (CNES), today at Bangalore. This MoU outlines the arrangements for the development of satellite, its launch, its operations in orbit and utilisation of the scientific data obtained from the satellite

Megha-Tropiques (Megha in Sanskrit means cloud while tropiques mean "tropics" in French) is meant for investigating the contribution of water cycle in the tropical atmosphere to climate dynamics. The satellite will carry three scientific instruments:

• a Multi-frequency Microwave Scanning Radiometer (MADRAS) to be developed jointly by ISRO and CNES for providing information on rain above the oceans, integrated water vapour content in the atmosphere, liquid water in clouds, convective rain over land and sea.

• a Multi-channel Microwave instrument (SAPHIR) to be developed by CNES for providing vertical humidity profile in the atmosphere, and

• a Multi-channel Instrument (SCARAB), also to be developed by CNES, for providing data on the earth’s radiation budget.

ISRO will build the Megha-Tropiques spacecraft, which will be similar to the Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites. ISRO will also launch the satellite using its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The satellite will be placed in 867 km high orbit at an inclination of 20 degrees with respect to the equatorial plane. In this orbit, the satellite will be able to collect scientific data covering the tropical regions. ISRO will control the satellite in orbit and also receive, process and distribute the scientific data from the satellite. The launch is planned by 2008-2009.

Megha-Tropiques, with its unique combination of scientific payloads and its special orbit, is expected to provide valuable data for climate research. Besides Indian and French scientists, international teams of scientists working on global climate related studies have evinced keen interest in the Megha-Tropiques mission. The Mission would provide vital atmospheric data over the tropical region which would help in monsoon variability studies.

The MoU on Megha-Tropiques is a major milestone in the long-standing relationship between Indian and French space agencies.

ISRO and CNES had, in November 1999, signed a Statement of Intent for undertaking the Megha-Tropiques mission and conducted joint feasibility studies and arrived at a baseline configuration of the satellite and the instruments to be flown, the orbit and the possible launchers. In May 2001, the two agencies signed the first MoU to jointly carry out the detailed design of the Megha-Tropiques mission. The MoU signed today enables the development and implementation of the mission.