Space Vision 2025 to reflect efficiency to harness space tech: PM

Noting that India’s space programme faces several challenges, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said the Space Vision 2025 should reflect how the country could more effectively harness space technology for development.

Exploring new frontiers of space technology aimed at low-cost access to space, development of heavy lift boosters to launch heavier satellites, realising high power and high bandwidth communication satellites and remote sensing satellites with all- weather capacity are some of the challenges, Singh said.

He was addressing top scientists of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) after inaugurating Thiruvananthapuram-based Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) through tele-link from his residence in New Delhi.

“The Space Vision should spell out not only our expansion plans but also the new frontiers of technology that we wish to master. We should reflect on how we can more effectively harness space technology for developmental purposes”, Singh said.

The Prime Minister also gave away annual ISRO awards for 2007 to several scientists for their significant contribution to the growth of ISRO in a variety of capacities.

Observing that the IIST would be able to cater to half the annual manpower needs of ISRO, he said necessary conditions should be created to attract the best and the brightest to scientific and technological study.

Category: India