'India can aid in space exploration'

India is strong enough to cater to other countries in space explorations and assessment of natural disaster, said Indian Space Research Organisation former chairman A S Kiran Kumar.

He was delivering Dr MS Ramaiah memorial lecture about India's growth in the space research field on Monday.

“India, which was depending on other countries for the launch of satellites in earlier days, has now become independent in the field. By successfully launching 180 satellites, India has done a remarkable job at the world level,” Kumar said.

He also remembered Dr Vikram Sarabhai’s contribution to the field of space technology in the year of his birth centenary.

Kumar also spoke about space programmes' contribution in navigation, earth observation and communication.

“Predictions of meteorological data such as cyclone has helped to manage and mitigate potential disasters. The space technology is significantly contributing to agriculture enabling food security, helping fishermen in good catchments and harvest of wind, solar and waves energy, water management, governance etc,” he said.

The former chairman also pointed out at the advancement of technology, that will allow the users to view the real-time videos of the earth through satellite.

“Technology has developed to a level where people will be able to see the real-time video through the satellite. For example, traffic movement will be seen in real time. This is the next big thing in India.”