[WATCH] Malta signs framework agreement with France’s space agency

Framework agreement on space cooperation signed between French Space Agency and Malta council for Science and Technology

The Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) has today signed a framework agreement with French space agency Centre National D’Etudes Spatiales (CNES).

The agreement allows Maltese entities and professionals to collaborate with the French agency and to continue raising awareness on the new Maltese space sector.

In his address, Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, Executive Chairman of the Malta Council for Science and Technology mentioned that “collaborations such as the one signed today with CNES, add leverage to capacity building and public outreach: supplementing these efforts with tangible examples of good practices that help bridging the gap between society and satellite applications.”

In comments to MaltaToday, Pullicino Orlando said that the MCST embarked on a three year long project outlining the relevance of space information, which can highlight changes in pollution and security defence.

“Malta has a particularly interesting geographical location. For instance, 90% of oil tankers pass through Maltese territorial waters. Satellite technology will be able to notify us of the effect this has on underwater areas, ” he said.

Research and development of downstream space services, which transform satellite imagery into data, will also be priority for the two organisations.

Cooperation on small-scale space technology development, testing and validation is also foreseen under this agreement.

This framework agreement opens doors for the exchange of personnel, good practices and joint workshops training professionals in the field, the organisations said.

Since Malta signed a cooperation agreement with the European Space Agency, in February 2012, MCST has been tasked with the co-ordination and governence of space related matters in Malta.