The Hindu : Cooperation with China likely in space sector

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 11, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Cooperation with China likely in space sector

BANGALORE, JAN. 10. The Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation, G. Madhavan Nair, today indicated that India and China were likely to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate in the space sector.

An Indo-Chinese joint space team recently discussed possibilities of mutual cooperation, he told presspersons after releasing a book here. "We will work out something with China as well," Mr. Nair said.

Mr. Nair said normally India signed an MoU with another country when there was an agreement on mutual cooperation. However, presently there was no such MoU, he said.

To a question whether the cooperation was in the area of joint satellite development, he replied in the negative. "We are identifying areas of cooperation," he said.

On the manned flight to space as desired by the Defence Minister, George Fernandes, Mr. Nair said: "We are evaluating the pros and cons of such a mission. There are two opinions of carrying out such a mission. There are debates whether such a mission is needed or not," he said.

Mr. Nair said a discussion would be generated in the scientific community and projected at the national level. A report would be submitted to the Union Government, he said.

The ISRO had earlier maintained that there were no plans to have a manned flight as the scientific community was not fully convinced about its need. However, Mr. Fernandes speaking at a function here recently strongly favoured a manned mission.

The ISRO, Mr. Nair said, was providing satellite images to the Task Force studying the interlinking of rivers. Aerial images of the river basins, valleys and hilly areas would help in chalking out a proper map. The images, he said, were taken from "IRS 1C and 1D" which had a resolution of 5.8 meters. "These inputs are made available for the Task Force for study," Mr. Nair said.

On the proposals to use space technology from the international community, Mr. Nair said: "There have been several proposals. We will analyse and take a decision in the next three months," he said.

Regarding the status of cryogenic engine, Mr. Nair said it was "fully qualified" and they were happy with the results, which were quite "satisfactory". One more stage test for the engine was planned in the middle of next year.

Mr. Nair said that the Resource Satellite (R-Sat) project of ISRO had received approval of the Government. The satellite, which would be ready by the next three years, uses "Radar Imaging System". This could give images showing the extent of flood damage regardless of strong cloud cover over the region.

On the "Astro Satellite" Project, Mr. Nair said they were in the process of preparing the design of the sensors.

Mr. Nair said that ISRO had completed the second launch pad.

They were now in the process of conducting the field trials with various propellants. "By the second half of this year we can use it," he said.

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