Satish Dhawan Space Centre (Shar) in Sriharikota to get new facilities for rocket, satellite launch

Syed Akbar
Hyderabad: Satish Dhawan Space Centre (Shar) at Sriharikota
in the State is being developed to include facilities like assembly of
satellites and rockets, said Dr K Radhakrishnan, chairman of the
Indian Space Research Organisation.

Addressing a meeting after the inauguration of Oceansat-2 ground
station at the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services
here on Monday, Dr Radhakrishnan said Isro is planning for a quantum
jump in the technology of satellites and launch vehicles to meet the
future needs of the country.

He said the SDSC-Shar would provide a platform for Indian industries
engaged in space technology to assemble satellites and rockets at the
centre. Radhakrishnan said the Isro would launch a new satellite,
Megha-tropiques, next month. This satellite will provide information
on the water cycle as well as climate change. Another satellite,
saral, is being readied for launch at a later date. Both the
satellites will help in the better understanding of the atmosphere.

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy urged ocean scientists to devise
methodologies to help fishermen earn more. "Fishermen have often been
at agitation fearing that their livelihood is being robbed by
industrialisation of the coast. Confidence should be created among
fishermen that their livelihood is protected. Andhra Pradesh produces
fish worth Rs 11,000 crore a year and it could be increased to Rs
20,000 crore if ocean scientists extend a helping hand," he added.

Dr Shailesh Nayak, secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, said Incois
would soon have an international training centre in ocean sciences.