There are, if truth be told, many people in India who are yet to know of EADS. What is EADS? You may also ask the same. Well, EADS is widely renowned and a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. However, the same awe-inspiring agency is in the Indian news since it is not only eager to join forces with ISRO on supersonic and hypersonic airplane technologies but has also proceeded towards that aim somewhat already.

Today itself, Chief Technical Officer of EADS, Jean Botti, while speaking in the Indian city of Bangalore, seemed to be optimistic of possible collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organization and EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company). The CTO acknowledging proficiency and acumen of ISRO stated that EADS finds potential between ISRO and the Franco-German group in the area of propulsion technology to a great extent. EADS is looking at the possibility of working with ISRO in the context of “niche airplanes”, he said.

It has been learnt that the sole interest of EADS is on building “green” airplanes acceptable to society and it’s here that Jean Botti sees a partnership role for ISRO with his company.

Let’s have a few words on some other aspects of EADS then. EADS group, which includes Airbus, Eurocopter and Astrium, generated revenues of Euro 43.3 billion in 2008 and employed a workforce of 118,000. Astrium, EADS’ space business entity, already has a partnership with ISRO’s commercial arm Antrix on joint building and delivery of satellites of two tonne to 2.5 tonne class.

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is the primary body for space research under the control of the Government of India, and one of the leading space research organizations in the world. It was established in its modern form in 1969 as a result of coordinated efforts initiated earlier.

Under the guidance of a number of scientists, ISRO has conducted a variety of operations—supported by its launch vehicle fleet—for both Indian and foreign clients. ISRO has several field installations as assets, and cooperates with the international community as a part of several bilateral and multilateral agreements.