Space Force Signs Cooperative R&D Agreements With Indian Space Tech Developers

The U.S. Space Force has entered into cooperative research and development agreements on space capabilities with two Indian startups.

The CRADAs are the United States’ first with foreign businesses and are part of White House efforts to collaborate with India on technology development, SpaceNews reported Thursday.

The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory said the two companies – software maker 114AI and chipmaker 3rd Itech – will work with the Space Vehicles Directorate to advance space domain awareness and Earth observation sensor capabilities.

Wellesley Pereira, the directorate’s mission area lead for space information mobility, said the CRADAs significantly advance the “collaborative boundaries of space technology.”

Unmanned aircraft maker General Atomics Aeronautical Systems forged partnerships with 114AI and 3rd Itech in 2022.

Recently, the defense organizations of the United States and India launched a program to connect and support universities and startups from both countries to develop emerging technologies.

The two countries also committed to collaboration on civil space programs.