Chandrayaan project an investment for future: Kasturirangan

Chennai, Nov 15 (PTI) Rejecting criticism over high costs
for the Chandrayaan-I project, former Indian Space Research
Organisation (I.S.R.O.) Chairman K. Kasturirangan said it was
a good investment for the future.

"With the population explosion, the demand for land, a
scarce material, will go up in future. We have to look for
other sources for this. Chandrayaan I is to look for water
availability on the Moon so that human settlements can be
created," he told an international seminar on space
applications here Saturday.

He said the Moon's environment was almost similar to
that of the Earth and human habitations would become a "real
possibility in the future."

The success of Chandrayaan-I has enthused the country's
young scientists.

He said with water and land becoming scarce materials,
space technology should be applied for enhancing productivity
of agricultural sector. Space could provide timely information
on weather, global warming, environment and ecological system.
This information would a go a long way in helping the farmers
and tackle the issue of food security.

He said space was the place for future generations to
stay and cost effective transport system should be developed.
Resources should be mopped up for this purpose, he said,
adding priority should be accorded for this.

Private educational institutions, like the Satyabama
University, which co-sponsored the seminar along with the
I.S.R.O., should do their mite for encouraging research in
space.

Chancellor Jeppiyar said the university would soon create
a space research cell, with the I.S.R.O.'s collaboration. He
sought Kasturirangan's help in developing the centre as one of
excellence.

Over 180 papers were presented at the three-day seminar
which concluded today.