Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has entered a transition phase where it is optimising costs without compromising demand, says AS Kiran Kumar, Chairman.
This is essential to achieve commercial success of its missions, according to Kumar, who is also Secretary to the Department of Space.
He said this while inaugurating a two-day national conference on ‘Recent trends in aerospace systems integration and testing’ being held at the ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri, near Thirunelveli.
The conference is being organised by Aeronautical Society of India, Thiruvananthapuram, in association with ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri.
Globally, the space market is changing, Kumar said, adding that more and more commercial operators are in the forefront establishing market in adventure sports, space tourism and exploration of planetary bodies.
Cost Reduction
In this context, reduction of cost in space launches and the importance of innovation in the area of design and integration of aerospace systems are very relevant, the ISRO Chairman said.
MC Dathan, Director, Vikram Sarbhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, presided over the function.
He remarked in his address that the completeness of design and creation of space system happens during integration and testing.
Therefore, the theme of and need for conference is significant so far as area of integration and testing is concerned.
D Karthikesan, Director, ISRO Propulsion Complex, introduced the theme of the seminar. K Sivan, Director, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, Mahendragiri, released the souvenir.
Plenary Lectures
PP Mohanlal, Director, ISRO Inertial Systems Unit, offered felicitations. P Ratnakara Rao, Chairman, Aeronautical Society of India, Thiruvananthapuram, welcomed the gathering and AK Anilkumar, Honorary Secretary, proposed a vote of thanks.
J Chattopadhayay, outstanding scientist and Director, Defence Research and Development Organisation, New Delhi gave a keynote address on the topic ‘Integration challenges in missile development technology in India’.
Experts delivered five plenary lectures in the aerospace area. There were 130 contributed technical papers and several industry presentations at the event.
More than 300 delegates from various ISRO centres, R&D institutions and academic institutions participated in this event.