The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is working on low cost access to space. Chairman A S Kiran Kumar cited advances in satellite remote sensing, global navigation systems and other such systems and procedures that filter down to humankind and are making it easier to integrate ecological, environmental and other information to develop predictive models that can be used in the surveillance and control of disease.
Without NASA, we would have never heard of memory foam, smoke detection systems and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). NASA didn’t create these technologies but definitely did help in hastening their usage on Earth by using them in space.
Similarly, ISRO can bring their own interesting systems to the table. The fact that it will be low cost would mean that these systems will make their way down to Earth, in terms of usage, much faster. There is a dire need to use technology to tackle social issues and empower the disadvantaged. All these areas can benefit from space research. Alternate and renewable energy development is another area that can benefit from it.
Technology too has taken a beating from environmental groups in recent time, who claim that e-waste is one of the world’s biggest developing problems. Space research can help negate that, working towards greener technology that will not have a big impact on the environment.
Space research is productive and if the ISRO can get this right, India will be at the forefront of technology development in the future.
