Kalam for reusable space transportation system

Former President A P J Abdul Kalam on Thursday stressed the need for developing fully re-usable space transportation systems which can carry huge payloads for realising the true potential of space missions.

Kalam was speaking on the theme ISRO Vision 2030 at the convocation of the first batch of students of ISRO’s Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST).  For the development of efficient re-usable launch vehicles, critical technologies such as air-breathing propulsion systems and light-weight materials that can withstand high temperatures are essential, he said.

Kalam also suggested a number of missions for ISRO which is nearing its 50th birthday. These include manned missions to moon and Mars and establishment of a space industry, development of cheap space transportation systems using hypersonic reusable vehicles, harnessing of solar energy, developing a ‘solar sail’ for inter-planetary missions and putting space technology to effective use in disaster management.

ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan said that the space agency was gearing up for more launches in the coming five years.  Atomic Energy Commission former chairman Dr Srikumar Banerjee, delivering the convocation address, stressed the need for harvesting the nation’s thorium resources for generating nuclear power.

Kalam distributed BTech degree certificates to 125 students who are already employed with various ISRO units.