The Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research (SAMEER), an autonomous research and development laboratory under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and the ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC), a centre under the Indian Space Research Organisation, on 13 May 2026 signed a memorandum of understanding at the SAMEER headquarters located inside IIT Bombay campus in Mumbai. The agreement was signed by Dr A K Anil Kumar, Director, ISTRAC ISRO, and Dr P Hanumantha Rao, Director General, SAMEER, in the presence of senior officers from both organisations. Under the partnership, the two bodies will jointly design and develop state-of-the-art high power amplifier systems built around indigenous Gallium Nitride semiconductor modules, which will be used in ground stations of the Indian Deep Space Network at Byalalu near Bengaluru. These high power systems are essential to amplify the tele-command signal in X-band before it is transmitted to ISRO missions operating in the X-Band frequency band. The collaboration leverages GaN power modules being developed by GATEC and the Defence Research and Development Organisation, and is intended to reduce dependence on foreign original equipment manufacturers, lower mission cost and place India on par with NASA Deep Space Network and ESA ESTRACK in indigenous capability. The MoU also opens the door for joint manpower training, technology transfer to Indian industry and a long term roadmap for self-reliant deep space ground segment.
SAMEER and ISRO ISTRAC on 13 May 2026 Sign Memorandum of Understanding at IIT Bombay Mumbai for Indigenous Gallium Nitride High-Power Systems to Support Indian Deep Space Network X-Band Telecommand Operations and Reduce Foreign OEM Dependence in Future Interplanetary Missions
SAMEER (under MeitY) and ISRO ISTRAC on 13 May 2026 signed an MoU at IIT Bombay to jointly develop indigenous GaN-based high-power systems for X-band telecommand at the Indian Deep Space Network, cutting reliance on foreign OEMs.
Key facts
- SAMEER (MeitY) and ISRO ISTRAC signed an MoU at IIT Bombay Mumbai on 13 May 2026 for deep space technology collaboration.
- MoU signed by Dr A K Anil Kumar, Director ISTRAC ISRO, and Dr P Hanumantha Rao, Director General SAMEER.
- Joint focus on indigenous high-power amplifier systems built around Gallium Nitride semiconductor modules.
- Systems will support X-band telecommand operations at the Indian Deep Space Network at Byalalu near Bengaluru.
- Leverages GaN power modules from GATEC and DRDO, cutting dependence on foreign original equipment manufacturers.
- Aims to bring India on par with NASA Deep Space Network and ESA ESTRACK in indigenous deep space ground capability.
6-axis classification
Appears in these topics
Practice MCQ from this story
SolveTap an option below. Correct or incorrect feedback appears instantly.
Consider the following statements about the SAMEER-ISTRAC MoU signed on 13 May 2026:\n1. SAMEER is an autonomous research and development laboratory under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.\n2. The collaboration will jointly develop indigenous Gallium Nitride based high-power systems for X-band telecommand at the Indian Deep Space Network.\nWhich of the statements given above is/are correct?
Both statements are correct. SAMEER is an autonomous R&D laboratory under MeitY, and the 13 May 2026 MoU with ISTRAC ISRO targets indigenous GaN-based high-power amplifier systems for X-band telecommand operations at the Indian Deep Space Network.
Frequently asked questions
Which two organisations signed an MoU on 13 May 2026 for deep space ground technology?
The Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research (SAMEER) under MeitY and the ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) signed the MoU at the SAMEER headquarters inside IIT Bombay, Mumbai.
What is the technological focus of the SAMEER-ISTRAC partnership?
The two will jointly design and develop indigenous high-power amplifier systems built around Gallium Nitride (GaN) semiconductor modules, used to amplify X-band tele-command signals to deep space probes.
Where is the Indian Deep Space Network located?
The Indian Deep Space Network is located at Byalalu near Bengaluru in Karnataka and provides telemetry, tracking and command support for ISRO interplanetary and lunar missions.
Why is this MoU strategically important for India?
It reduces dependence on foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers, lowers mission cost, builds Atmanirbhar Bharat capacity in microwave electronics and seeks to place India on par with NASA Deep Space Network and ESA ESTRACK.
Was this useful?
Share corrections or missing exam angles with the editorial team.
Send feedback