Buoyed by the success of their first lunar probe three years back, India's space scientists are planning an ambitious sequel in 2013 that may establish the groundwork for a future robotic mission to Mars. Drawing on Russia's long experience exploring planetary surfaces, including the upcoming mission to the Martian moon Phobos, India's second lunar mission, Chandrayaan-2, will consist of a domestic spacecraft and rover, with a Russian landing platform that underscores the international aspect of India's budding planetary exploration program.

NEW DELHI — Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. plans to pursue multiple opportunities in the Indian defense market, and has responded to the Indian navy’s recently issued Request for Information (RFI) for a second batch of multi-role helicopters, a top company official says. “We don’t know the numbers” of aircraft needed, says A.J.S. Walia, Sikorsky’s executive vice president for India and South Asia. The company has the option of offering its S-70 Bravo or the MH-60R “Romeo” helicopter, which it offers jointly with Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Navy.

Mahindra Aerospace and Mahindra Satyam, the aerospace manufacturing and engineering units of India’s Mahindra Group, last week signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a partnership with Eurocopter and its Indian subsidiary, Eurocopter India. The partnership will focus on manufacturing of subassemblies, engineering and customization of civil helicopters, and the joint development of products for specific market segments. Details of the partnership will be decided in the coming months, a Mahindra official says.