TREATIES AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL ACTS SERIES 12-326 

________________________________________________________________________ 

SPACE COOPERATION 

Oceansat-2 Activities 

 Implementing Arrangement Between the 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

and INDIA 

Signed at Ahmedabad and Washington 

March 20 and 26, 2012 
 NOTE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE 

 Pursuant to Public Law 89—497, approved July 8, 1966 

(80 Stat. 271; 1 U.S.C. 113)—

“. . .the Treaties and Other International Acts Series issued 

under the authority of the Secretary of State shall be competent 

 evidence . . . of the treaties, international agreements other than 

treaties, and proclamations by the President of such treaties and 

international agreements other than treaties, as the case may be, 

therein contained, in all the courts of law and equity and of maritime 

jurisdiction, and in all the tribunals and public offices of the 

United States, and of the several States, without any further proof 

or authentication thereof.” 
 INDIA 

Space Cooperation: Oceansat-2 Activities 

 Implementing Arrangement signed at 

 Ahmedabad and Washington 

 March 20 and 26, 2012; 

 Entered into force March 26, 2012. 
IMPLEMENTING ARRANGEMENT 

BETWEEN 

THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION 

AND 

THE INDIAN SPACE RESEARCH ORGANISATION 

FOR 

COLLABORATION ON OCEANSAT -2 ACTIVITIES 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

PREAMBLE 

ARTICLE 1 - PURPOSE 

ARTICLE 2 - REFERENCE TO FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT 

ARTICLE 3 - DEFINITIONS 

ARTICLE 4 - BACKGROUND 

ARTICLE 5 - ISRO RESPONSLBILITIES 

ARTICLE 6 - NASA RESPONSlBILIT1ES 

ARTICLE 7 - POINTS OF CONTACT 

ARTICLE 8 - OWNERSHIP OF EQUIPMENT 

ARTICLE 9 - AMENDMENT 

ARTICLE 10 -ENTRY INTO FORCE AND TE&\IIINATlON 

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PREAMBLE 

The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Indian Space 

Research Organisation (ISRO) (hereinafter jointly referred to as "the Parties"); 

Considering the desirability of enhanced cooperation between the Parties for the use of space for 

research in the Earth sciences and global change, with potential benefits to all nations; 

Recalling the terms of the Framework Agreement between NASA and ISRO for Cooperation in 

the Exploration and Use of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes, signed on February 1, 2008 

(hereinafter referred to as the "Framework Agreement"); and 

Recognizing that ISRO and the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

(NOAA) have similar interests in cooperation in utilizing Oceansat-2 data and will conclude a 

separate Implementing Arrangement under the NOAA-ISRO Agreement/or Cooperation in Earth 

Sciences and Earth Observation; 

Have reached the following arrangement: 

ARTICLE 1 

PURPOSE 

The purpose of this Implementing Arrangement (hereinafter referred to as the "fA") is to set 

forth the respective responsibilities of the Parties for the terms and conditions under which they 

will cooperate on the Oceansat-2 mission. The focus of the IA is on cooperation involving 

instruments on-board Oceansat-2, specifically, the Ocean Color Monitor-2 (OCM-2) and the Kuband pencil beam Scatterometer (OSCAT) for calibration/validation and data utilization. 

ARTICLE 2 

REFERENCE TO FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT 

This lA, concluded pursuant to Article 4 of the Framework Agreement, incorporates by reference 

and is subject to the terms and conditions of the Framework Agreement. In the event of a 

conflict between the provisions of this fA and the Framework Agreement, the terms of the 

Framework Agreement will govern. 

ARTICLE 3 

DEFINITIONS 

Level OData: Reconstructed unprocessed instrument data at full resolution; and any and all 

communications artifacts (e.g., synchronization frames, communications headers) removed. 

Level lA Data: Level 0 data with all supplemental information appended for use in subsequent 

processing; basic data products. 

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• Level I A data for OCM-2: Raw products 

• Level I A data for OSCA T: Scan mode data in engineering units 

Level IB Data: Level 0 data with radiometric and geometric correction applied to produce 

parameters in physical units. 

• Level I B data for OCM-2: Radiance product 

• Level I B data for OSCA T: Sigma-O product at slice level in scan mode, with ancillary 

data sufficient for geolocation and independent calibration of the instrument 

Level 2A and 2B Data: Derived environmental variables at a comparable temporal and spatial 

resolution to the Level I source. 

• Level 2A12B data for OCM-2: Chlorophyll-a concentration, Total Suspended Matter 

(TSM), Diffused Attenuation Coefficients, Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) at 865 

nanometers (nm) 

• Level 2A data for OSCAT: Co-located (outer and inner beam) Sigma-O product in swath 

grid (at 50 kilometer [km] spacing) 

• Level 2B data for OSCA T: Wind product in swath grid with 50 km spacing 

Level 3 Data: Data or retrieved environmental variables which have been spatially and/or 

temporally re-sampled. Such re-sampling may include averaging and/or compositing. 

• Level 3 data for OCM-2: Weekly, monthly, and yearly binned products at I km 

• Level 3 data for OSCA T: Global gridded wind products (0.5 degree resolution) 

ARTICLE 4 

BACKGROUND 

ISRO successfully launched the Oceansat-2 satellite on September 23, 2009. Oceansat-2 carries 

a Ku-pencil beam Scatterometer (OSCAT) capable of measuring ocean surface vector winds 

(OSVW); the Ocean Color Monitor (OCM-2), which retrieves sea spectral reflectance; and the 

Agenzia Spaziale Italiana's Radio Occultation Sounder for Atmospheric studies (ROSA) 

instrument, which provides the vertical profile of the atmosphere. Oceansat-2 is ISRO's second 

in a series of satellites dedicated to ocean research. It provides continuity to the services and 

applications of the Oceansat-I OCM data along with additional data from OSCA T. Oceansat-2 

is a three-axis, body-stabilized spacecraft placed into a near circular Sun-synchronous orbit, at an 

altitude of 720 kilometers (km), with an equatorial crossing time of around 1200 hours . 

. [SRO and NASA share the common goal of optimizing the quality and maximizing the utility of 

the Oceansat-2 data for the benefit of future global and regional scientific and operational 

applications. 

Discussions between India and the United States regarding collaboration on Oceansat-2 have 

been ongoing since early 2007. Discussions progressed and on November 18, 2009, ISRO. 

NOAA, and NASA signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for the Proposed Collaboration on Oceansat2 Activities Among the Indian Space Research Organisation, Departmenl of ~pace, Government 

of India and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce, 

4 
United States of America and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, United States 

of America. 

Under the LOr, NOAA, NASA, and rSRO have accomplished the following activities: 

• NASA provided the following QuikSCAT data: (i) 57 revolutions of Level I B and Level 

2A data from July 1-4, 2005 with supporting user's manual; and (ii) Level 2A and Level 

2B data from October 2009 to November 23, 2009, to ISRO to aid in validation of wind 

retrieval algorithms. 

• NASA provided ISRO with documentation for a model function, based on experience 

with NASA Scatterometer (NSCA T) and Quick Scatterometer (QuikSCA T), which 

reflects those incidence angles used by OSCAT. The model function is required for 

converting the basic scatterometer backscatter measurements into useful science data 

products. 

• ISRO provided NASA with an assessment of the capability of the algorithms developed 

by ISRO to retrieve winds from the QuikSCA T Level 2A data by comparing them with 

the corresponding Level 2B data that are publicly available. 

• JPL submitted to the U.S. Department of State, a Technical Assistance Agreement (TAA) 

to allow the disclosure of technical information and data as identified within the scope of 

the two Framework Agreements and the lAs. 

• ISRO provided NASA and NOAA with Level2A (Sigma-O) and Level 2B (vector winds) 

OSCA T data for November 2009 in early 20 I 0, and provided the remainder of the initial 

6-month dataset (L I B, L2A, L2B) during 1 uly and August 20 I O. 

• NASA and NOAA have subsequently provided preliminary calibration and validation 

feedback based on their analyses of the first 6-months of OSCA T data. 

• ISRO has established joint calibration and validation (cal/val) and science teams for 

coordinating activities among Indian entities. 

• rSRO, NOAA, and NASA have established a 10int Oceansat-2 OCM-2 and OSCAT 

Calibration and Validation Science Team (hereinafter referred to as the Joint Cal/Val 

Science Team [JST]). ISRO, NOAA, and NASA have agreed to the following Terms of 

Reference for the JST: 

o Define, implement, and evaluate data interfaces, particularly those required to 

provide timely access to OCM-2 and OSCAT data in support of U.S. field callva\ 

campaigns such as aircraft under-flights and operational requirements. 

o Develop, update, implement, and evaluate callval plans, schedules, deliverables, 

and milestones with the goal of optimizing the OCM-2 and OSCA T data products 

5 
for operational use as well as applications including general research and climate 

studies. 

o Coordinate joint OCM-2 and OSCA T cal/val and science activities outside India 

for the duration of the Oceansat-2 mission. It will manage OCM-2 and OSCA T 

cal/val collaboration, as well as inter-sensor validation of global data products; 

operational use of data products; and the exchange of scientists. 

o Have access to and use of all data pertaining to its activities and make available 

the scientific data for public access as soon as practicable. 

o Have access to commissioning phase data soon after launch with continuing 

OSCA T Sufficient Jor Independent Calibration oj the Instrument (SICl) data 

(including Levell B data) available in a timely fashion. Timely access to selected 

data is needed: (i) as input for planning aircraft flight paths in field campaigns, 

and (ii) to facilitate evaluation of products by operational forecasters. The 

OSCA T SICI data includes parameters needed to solve the radar equation (e.g., 

antenna pattern, power out, spacecraft attitude) and geolocation of the data. 

• The initial meeting of a Joint Oceansat-2 OCM-2 and OSCA T Science Team was held 

March 10-12,20 10, at ISRO's Space Applications Centre (SAC) in Ahmedabad, India. 

• A meeting of an interim calibration/validation group including JPL and ISRO 

scatterometer scientists was held September 13-15,2010, at ISRO SAC in Ahmedabad, 

India. 

• A meeting of the Oceansat-2 OSCA T Technical Team was held October 4-8, 2010, at 

ISRO SAC in Ahmedabad, India. This meeting: 

a. Discussed low-level OSCA T data processing issues and addressed aspects related 

to operationalization of OSCA T data; and 

b. Identi fied the data pathways for operational OSCA T data transfer including data 

interfaces, participating nodes, timing constraints, backup alternatives/plans, and 

the timetable for implementation and evaluation in preparation for the operational 

phase of OSCA T data release. 

• NOAA has made available spectrally weighted MOBY data for OCM-2 on the NOAA 

CoastWatch/Ocean Watch website. 

• In order to make Level IB, Level 2A, and Level 28 products available within 180 

minutes from start of the data acquisition on the spacecraft, lSRO established in March 

2011 necessary infrastructure for data reception, processing, and dissemination at the 

European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSA T) 

Headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany. NOAA and NASA will receive these products 

from EUMETSA T. 

6 
ARTICLE 5 

ISRO RESPONSIBILITIES 

ISRO will use reasonable effotts to CatTY out the following responsibilities: 

1. General 

a. Organize post-launch calibration/validation (callval) meetings for both the OCM-2 and 

OSCA T in India to share calibration and validation results. 

b. Provide to NASA free access through portal/ftpofOCM-2 Global Area Coverage (GAC) and 

global OSCA T data, and authorization for NASA researchers to generate high-level, publicly 

available enhanced data products from Oceansat-2 data for use in research leading to openliterature publications and for operational purposes. 

c. Provide all down-linked and archived OSCAT (at Levels IA [where applicable for 

calibration], 1 B, 2A, and 2B) and OCM-2 GAC data, received prior to date of signature of 

the lA, for research applications and continuation of climate data records. The historical 

OSCA T data will include the QuikSCA T overlap period (November 2009) and subsequent 

data to the beginning of operational data transfer. 

2. Oceansat-2 Scatterometer (OSCA T) 

a. Collaborate in the improvement of model function including extension to high winds and 

incidence angles and algorithms for wind vector retrieval within nadir zone, at nadir, and 

outer swath for the OSCA T; any publications, arising out of joint effort, describing the new 

development/improvement of this model function will involve researchers from both India 

and the United States. 

b. Derive independent calibration and validation for the OSCA T instrument, document the 

results, and share with NASA. 

c. Collaborate in the development of high-resolution algorithms to obtain wind products as near 

to the coast as possible. 

d. Provide global OSCAT data at Level I B, 2A, and 2B (and ancillary data and documentation 

required for calibration and processing), orbit-by-orbit, for operational use within 180 

minutes of collection on the spacecraft for the duration of the mission. 

e. Provide Level I B data as soon as processed, without waiting for Level 2A or 2B data 

processing. 

f. Provide OSCA T data as needed to develop an optimized calibration scheme for noise 

subtraction. 

7 
g. Notify NASA of any changes to the operational processing algorithm prior to the change 

taking effect. Provide NASA with at least one week of data processed with modified 

algorithm and allow for at least two weeks validation period before the change formally takes 

effect. 

3. Ocean Color Monitor-2 (OCM-2) 

a. Provide OCM-l oceanographic field data archive collecled in open ocean waters for 

inclusion in the algorithm development dataset (NASA bio-Optical Marine Algorithm Data 

set [NOMAD]). 

b. Provide electronic access to Level IB Global Area Coverage (GAC) calibrated observed 

radiances to all international users and make available to JST members documentation on 

lower level source data and the calibration/geolocation information required to generate 

LevellB. 

c. Provide pre-launch characterization and calibration documentation for OCM-2, as well as 

participate in protocol and round-robin experiments for caljbration/validation activities and 

measurements. 

d. Provide access to the Lakashdweep SealKavaratti in situ buoy data for vicarious calibration 

and field validation of NASA sensors. 

e. Collaborate in the development of geophysical retrieval algorithms for complex coastal (e.g., 

Case 2) waters. 

f. Provide direct broadcast transmissions of full-resolution data from OCM-2 over U.S. coastal 

waters, as well as software to unencrpyt and process these data from Level 0 to Level I to 

Level 2 data and standard geophysical products, and provide all necessary information for 

NOAA and NASA to write codes to independently generate Level 0, Levell, and Level 2 

data from the files, e.g., data of instrument calibration and characterization, navigation, solarsensor geometry, raw and calibrated radiances, and appropriate documentation for the 

operational use of NOAA subject to satellite and mission constraints. 

g. Provide suitable arrangements to support quick turnaround operational needs like real-time 

cruise planning. 

h. Collaborate in assessing and enhancing quality and long-term stability of OCM-2 radiometry 

and derived ocean color products, including Level 3 sensor-to-sensor and Level 2 sensor-tofield data analyses, and application of on-board calibration (e.g., lunar measurements). 

I. Ensure that global OCM-2 GAC L,evel I B, Level 2, and Level 3 data are available for 

research and near-real time GAC data for operational use. 

8 
ARTICLE 6 

NASA RESPONSIBILITIES 

NASA will use reasonable efforts to carry out the following responsibilities: 

1. General 

Share with ISRO any new OCM-2- or OSCAT-related algorithm developed for generating highlevel enhanced data products from Oceansat-2 data, which are not addressed by the JST. 

2. Oceansat-2 Scatterometer (OSCAT) 

a. Collaborate in the improvement of model function including extension to high winds and 

incidence angles and algorithms for wind vector retrieval within nadir zone, at nadir, and 

outer swath for the OSCA T; any publications, arising out of joint effort, describing the new 

development/improvement of this model function will involve researchers from both India 

and the United States. 

b. Derive independent calibration and validation for OSCA T, document the results, and share 

with [SRO. 

c. Collaborate in the development of high-resolution algorithms to obtain wind products as near 

to the coast as possible. 

d. Develop the capability to reprocess OSCA T data for the entire Oceansat-2 miSSIOn to 

generate climate data to extend and continue the QuikSCAT ocean vector winds data set, and 

make such data avai lab Ie to all international users. 

e. Provide Levell A QuikSCA T data as needed to develop an optimized calibration scheme for 

noise subtraction of OSCA T data. 

3. Ocean Color Monitor-2 (OCM-2) 

a. Provide access to data from in situ sources for use in the vicarious calibration and validation 

ofOCM-2. 

b. Collaborate in the development of geophysical retrieval algorithms for complex coastal (e.g., 

Case 2) waters. 

c. Make high resolution OCM-2 data available only to academic and cooperative research 

institutions and Federal, state, and local government institutions in the United States who are 

directly undertaking work for the benefit of the public good; such data will not be made 

available for commercial use. 

d. Share experience in the use of lunar measurements to ensure the stability of satellite 

radiometer measurements required for support of climate change research. 

9 
e. Facilitate access to Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) and Moderate 

Resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer (MODIS) data for cross calibration and sensor intercalibration studies to assess the stability of the OCM-2 within the multi-mission time series. 

f. Organize and conduct an OCM-focused SeaDAS training workshop in India, possibly in 

conjunction with a 1ST meeting. 

g. Collaborate in assessing and enhancing quality and long-term stability of OCM-2 radiometry 

and derived ocean color products, including Level 3 sensor-to-sensor and Level 2 sensor-tofield data analyses, and application of on-board calibration (e.g., lunar measurements). 

h. Support lunar calibration analysis of OCM-2 by providing U.S. Geological Survey RObotic 

Lunar Observatory (ROLO) lunar model output for any OCM lunar measurements. 

l. Share SeaDAS display and analysis support for the ISRO-defined Level I B OCM-2 format 

and the SeaDAS-derived Level 2 and Level 3 OCM-2 products. 

ARTICLE 7 

POINTS OF CONTACT 

Regarding the overall fA: 

For JSRO, 

V. Koteswara Rao 

Scientific Secretary 

Indian Space Research Organisation HQ 

Antariksh Bhavan 

New BEL Road 

Bangalore 560 231, India 

Tel: +91-80-23416356 

Fax: +91-80-23415298 

E-mail: scicnli licsecrctarv(cl)isro.gov. in 

For NASA, 

Patrick Besha 

International Programs Special ist 

Science Division 

Office of International and Interagency Relations 

NASA Headquarters 

300EStSW 

Washington, DC 20546 

Tel: + 1-202-358-2636 

Fax: + 1-202-358-2798 

E-mail:ra{rick.bcsha(dna~a.!.w'v 

to 
Regarding technical data associated with this IA: 

For ISRO, OSCA T and ocean vector winds programmatic and technical point of contact: 

B.S. Gohil 

Indian Space Research Organisation 

Tel: +91-79-269161 11 

Fax: + 

E-mail: bSl!ohi V(l.sal:. isnuwv.in 

For ISRO, OCM-2 ocean color radiometry programmatic and technical point of contact: 

Prakash Chauhan 

Indian Space Research Organisation 

Tel: +9 J -79-26914140 

Fax: + 

E-mail: prakashf(l'sac.isro.gov.in 

For rSRO, Oceansat-2 programmatic point of contact: 

M. A mbarisha Babu 

Associate Director (Spacecraft Systems) 

Earth Observations System (EOS) 

Indian Space Research Organisation Headquarters 

Department of Space, Government of India 

Antariksh Bhavan, New B.E.L. Road 

Bangalore - 560 231 India 

Tel: + 91-80-23415540 

Fax: + 9 J -80-234 J 3806 

E-mail: ambarish(li:isro.gov. in 

For NASA, OCM-2 ocean color radiometry programmatic point of contact: 

Paula Bontempi 

Ocean Biology and Biogeochemistry Program Scientist 

Science Mission Directorate, NASA 

NASA Headquarters 

300 ESt., SW - Mail Suite 3B74 

Washington, D.C. 20546 USA 

Telephone: 1-202-358-1508 

Facsimile: 1-202-358-2770 

E-mail :paula.s .bon lempi;d:nasa.l!oY 

For NASA, OCM-2 ocean color radiometry technical point of contact: 

Bryan Franz 

Research Oceanographer 

Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA 

NASNGSFC/Code 614.2 

Greenbelt, MD 2077 [ USA 

Telephone: 1-301-286-5429 

II 
Facsimile: 1-30]-286-0268 

E-mai l:brvaJuLrran/, a nasa , !.,!()V 

For NASA, OSCAT and vector winds designated programmatic point of contact: 

Peter Hacker 

Oceanography Program Scientist 

Earth Science Division, Science Mission Directorate 

NASA Headquarters 

300 E Street SW, Mail Suite 3B74 

Washington, DC 20546-000 I USA 

Telephone: 1-202-358-2096 

Facsimile: \-202-358-3172 

E-mail: pcter.w.hackcr((i:nasa.l!ov 

For NASA, OSCA T and vector winds technical point of contact: 

Ernesto Rodriguez 

QuikSCA T Project Scientist 

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), California Institute of Technology 

Jet Propulsion Laboratory 

MS 300-3/9 

4800 Oak Grove Drive 

Pasadena, CA 91109 USA 

Telephone: \-818-354-5668 

Facsimile: 1-818-393-6720 

E-mail: emesto.rodrigllcz(il~ipl.nasa.go\ 

ARTICLE 8 

OWNERSHIP OF EQUIPMENT 

Equipment provided by NASA pursuant to this IA will remain the property of NASA. 

Equipment provided by fSRO pursuant to this fA will remain the property of ISRO. Each Party 

agrees to return any of the other Party's equipment in its possession to the other Pal1y at the 

conclusion of the project. 

ARTICLE 9 

AMENDMENT 

This IA may be amended through mutual written agreement by the Parties. 

12 
ARTICLE 10 

ENTRY INTO FORCE AND TERMINATION 

This IA will enter into force on the date of the last signature appearing below and will remain in 

force for a period of five (5) years. Either Party may terminate this IA at any time by giving 

ninety (90) days written notice of such intention to the other Party. Termination of the 

Framework Agreement will not affect activities being carried out under this IA. 

Done in two originals at ................................. (place), on the day ...................... of 

March 2012, in the English language. 

FOR THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS 

AND SPACE ADMfNISTRA TION 

Michael O'Brien 

Associate Administrator 

Office of International and Interagency 

Relations 

13 

FOR THE INDIAN SPACE 

RESEARCH ORGANISATION 

R.R. Navalgund 

Director 

Space Applications Centre 

Date 

Place 

\1 A h ('r\€, J. ~b ()..~ 

l \ 1\ J." O-.J 

I'