Dr Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, presently Honorable Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) has steered the Indian Space programme for over nine years as Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation, of Space Commission and Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Space.

He has been Director of Isro Satellite Centre, where he oversaw the activities related to the development of new generation spacecraft, Indian National Satellite (Insat-2) and Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS-1A & 1B) as well as scientific satellites. He was also the Project Director for India's first two experimental earth observation satellites, Bhaskara-I & II and subsequently was responsible for overall direction of the first operational Indian Remote Sensing Satellite, IRS-1A.

Under his leadership, the Indian space programme has witnessed several major milestones including the successful launching and operationalisation of the India's prestigious launch vehicle, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the first successful flight testing of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).
Further, he has also overseen the design, development and launching of the world's best civilian satellites, IRS-1C and 1D, realization of the second generation and initiation of third generation INSAT satellites.

Deccan Herald spoke to Dr Kasturirangan about the Indian space programme and the path ahead. Excerpts:

Q :  We have the technology. But are we using it optimally?
India is a front-ranking nations in using remote sensing data for social objectives. I would say we are at the number one level when you look at how the satellite data is used for ground water exploration, timely inputs for increasing agricultural yield, etc. Why it works here is because we have an institutional mechanism which is unique, probably the only one of its kind. This is the planning committee for natural resources which comes under the Planning Commission. It directs the data to relevant ministries.

Even our communication network is not used for entertainment alone but for many outreach programmes to remote areas. Keeping in mind that specialty doctors and quality teachers will not be enough for our needs, our telemedicine and education programmes are doing a great job. We are ahead of many countries in this regard. In fact, our experience is sought after by other nations on how to use the data.

But it goes without saying that there is enough room for doing more. We need to keep improving in terms of our satellite systems, the ground systems and the delivery system.

Q :  But do we have the technology in place in case we need to extend the services under telemedicine or the Edusat programme?
Yes, the technology is very much in place and scale-up is possible to address large cross-sections, for instance to have ‘virtual classrooms’. But we need to invest in the programme content, in producing more imaginative lessons.

Q :  Regarding the moon mission and the criticism that a poor nation like India can ill-afford such programmes.
These are two different issues and there is no comparison at all. The moon mission represents one of the highest quest in science and technology. Yes sometimes there can be a cross-coupling from space programmes but many times the need is for institutional solutions. If you look at the moon mission and the costs of Rs 300 crores, and compare it with the rural employment scheme which is about Rs 60,000 crores, you can see there is no comparison. We are mixing up the scales totally.

Let me tell you there are so many private enterprises that woudl willingly fund the lunar mission!

We cannot afford to ignore the pursuit of pure science. Any country that does it will be poorer in every aspect, culture, etc, if it does so.

Q :  What do you see as the future for the Indian space programme?
It needs to address three tiers basically. One, we are one of the most space-faring nations as we have the required elements. We must not shy away from adventurous pursuits. Two, our social component will dominate.

Three, we must look to international cooperation where possible. While looking at global systems like the moon and beyond, it should be a global programme.

Q :  When it comes to space, should mankind explore or exploit in your view?
Both! Unless you explore you can’t exploit. And unless you exploit, it would mean a waste of resources. For example, if we want habitats in moon or Mars, it makes sense to make use of the moon and the resources it has instead of lugging it all from earth. So when I say exploitation, I do not mean in the wrong sense like colonisation, etc.
JK