ISRO focussing on low cost access to space: A S Kiran Kumar

VISAKHAPATNAM: Indian Space Research Organisation is moving forward with the development of heavy lift launchers and reusable launch vehicles with its main focus being the low cost access to space, its chairman A S Kiran Kumar said here today.

" ISRO is developing heavy lift launchers, reusable launch vehicles, cryogenic engines and is mainly concentrating on low cost access to space," Kumar said.

He was addressing as the chief guest the 6th convocation ceremony at Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management, commonly known as GITAM University.

Kumar said the recent success of the Mars Orbiter Mission was a result of a tremendous team effort and innovative use of limited resources to achieve defined goals.

"Advances in satellite remote sensing, global navigation satellite systems and geographic information system are now making it easier to integrate ecological, environmental and other information for developing predictive models that can be used in the surveillance and control of diseases such as malaria and dengue fever," the space scientist said.

He observed that use of technology in tackling social issues and empowering disadvantaged groups still remains significantly under-explored.

Appealing for environment-friendly lifestyle, Kumar said, "The society must concentrate to green their lifestyle (sic) and lessen the negative impact of technology on natural environment."

He asked the students to innovate and develop techniques which can play a key role in development of nation without having any adverse impact on environment.

Kumar also appealed to students to explore alternate energy sources so as to cut down the need for mega scale generation and distribution systems.

On the occasion, Kumar and Satyanarayana Chava, CEO of Laurus Labs Pvt Ltd, were bestowed upon the honorary degree of doctor of science (DSc) by the university chancellor K Ramakrishna Rao.

The honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (D Litt) was presented to former cricketer VVS Laxman and noted playback singer and musician K Srinivasa Rao (Vande Mataram Srinivas).

The Distinguished Alumnus Award-2015 was presented to Kurra Lakshmaiah Choudhary, currently the MD, Fujiyama Tool Tech, Pvt Ltd, Hyderabad.

On the occasion, a total of 2579 students received graduate and post-graduate degrees while six students were presented M.Phil and 60 students the PhD in streams like engineering, management, science, pharmacy and international business.

The University also presented 50 gold medals to meritorious students.