Build satellite service station, Kalam tells ISRO

Kalam, himself an aclaimed rocket scientist, said many satellites in the geo-synchronous orbit face problems relating to power and fuel after three or five years in service.

He wanted ISRO to take advantage of this opportunity to service such satellites. Speaking after releasing a book titled "All About Rockets", written by S K Das, at ISRO headquarters "Antariksh Bhavan" here, Kalam also spoke about other opportunities for ISRO in the area of low cost access to space.

Noting that globally, it cost USD 20,000 to launch one kg payload, he said ISRO should strive to do this for USD 2,000 using nanotechnology, single-stage and reusable techologies.

Kalam also suggested that ISRO work towards building solar-powered satellites. Later, interacting with students, he said living on the Moon and Mars is a must for human beings (in some decades from now).

"..because we are about six billion people (global population), going into eight billion. We need more space,more materials, more energy. So we need one more planet (to live)".

He said he expects Indians to land on Moon and Mars in the 2025-2035 timeframe.