The Indian Space Research Organisation will set up a centre at the Central University Jammu (CUJ) to expand its presence to the northernmost State of India.
ISRO Chairman K Sivan signed memorandums of understanding with CUJ Vice Chancellor Ashok Aima and officials of Central Space Instruments Organisation (CSIR-CSIO) to set up the centre on Thursday.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh was present during the signing of the MoUs at CUJ campus in Samba.
The centre, named Satish Dhawan Center for Space Science, is proposed to be spread on an area of about 1,150 square metres.
The area of space application is of particular interest to Jammu & Kashmir as its economy and human lives are affected by vegetation cover, forest area, snow, landslides, avalanches, ground water, cloud cover, which can be monitored from space through remote-sensing.
Also, considering the recurring natural calamities, requirement of strengthening ground-based observational capabilities of this region for weather and atmospheric research is of utmost important.
The centre will take care of the emerging geospatial and space technology requirements for the development of the region.
Union Minister Singh said the collaboration between ISRO and CUJ was a landmark achievement for Jammu & Kashmir.
Saying that ISRO would become a pan-India organisation with the establishment of the centre, he urged the youth to develop scientific temper and interest in space research.