ISRO's new mission to study greenhouse gases

Encouraged by the discovery of ice on the moon's surface by Chandrayan-I mission, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) would launch a dedicated satellite to conduct a study about greehouse gases, with funding from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests.

Th proposed mission would be the first by ISRO to study green house gases. Once successful, it would place the Indian space agency on par with NASA of US and other nations in this unique study. In a brief chat with newsmen on the sidelines of a function, former ISRO Chief and Planning Commission Member Dr K Kasturirangan said the launch of the satellite, which was only in design stages, would take place in the next two to three years.

ISRO's proposal to launch satellites for studying greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, comes at a time when concerns were raised across the world over the growing impact of climate change and global warming. ''The US and Japan have already launched such satellites and the idea is to see whether India can look at the greenhouse gases using satellite sensors,'' he added. Stating that the Union Environment Ministry would play a significant role in this and promising its full support for such missions, Dr Kasturirangan said the funding terms were being worked out.

China is planning the launch of its own space laboratories

China plans to launch an unmanned space module, Tiangong 1, in 2011, said Qi Faren, the chief designer of China's Shenzhou spacecraft, at the sidelines of the annual plenary session of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country's top political advisory body, on March 3.

Tiangong, or the Heavenly Palace, will eventually be transformed into a manned space laboratory after experimental dockings by the three Shenzhou spacecrafts—Shenzhou 8, Shenzhou 9 and Shenzhou 10, which are expected to be launched into space within two years of the module's launch, said Qi.

Qi said that Tiangong 1, which weighs approximately 8.5 tons, is expected to complete China's first space docking with Shenzhou 8 during the following year, and will perform long-term independent operations, which are regarded as an essential step toward building a space station.

The official website of China's manned space program, Cmse.gov.cn, says China is now in the second phase of a three-step plan that the nation has drafted for implementing its manned space program.

China is planning the launch of its own space laboratories

China plans to launch an unmanned space module, Tiangong 1, in 2011, said Qi Faren, the chief designer of China's Shenzhou spacecraft, at the sidelines of the annual plenary session of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country's top political advisory body, on March 3.

Tiangong, or the Heavenly Palace, will eventually be transformed into a manned space laboratory after experimental dockings by the three Shenzhou spacecrafts—Shenzhou 8, Shenzhou 9 and Shenzhou 10, which are expected to be launched into space within two years of the module's launch, said Qi.

Qi said that Tiangong 1, which weighs approximately 8.5 tons, is expected to complete China's first space docking with Shenzhou 8 during the following year, and will perform long-term independent operations, which are regarded as an essential step toward building a space station.

The official website of China's manned space program, Cmse.gov.cn, says China is now in the second phase of a three-step plan that the nation has drafted for implementing its manned space program.

India to launch South Korean satellites

India and South Korea on Thursday discussed a host of bilateral issues including cooperation in space programmes with External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna, who is on an official visit there, suggesting that the South Korean satellites could be launched by Indian launch vehicles.

Describing the 40 minute meeting between Mr. Krishna and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak as “constructive and fruitful”, the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement that the two leaders underscored the importance of increasing people-to-people exchanges to bolster the bilateral strategic partnership.

Recalling his “landmark” visit to India this year as the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations, Mr. Lee appreciated Mr. Krishna’s visit to Seoul for the 6th Joint Commission meeting (JCM), which would give further impetus to bilateral relations and the initiatives announced during his visit to India.

Mr. Krishna also suggested a bust of Rabindranath Tagore, who had described Korea as the ‘Lamp of the East’, be installed at a prominent location in Seoul.

Welcoming the idea, President Lee said he would make a strong recommendation to the concerned city authorities to identify a suitable location for installing the bust of Tagore in 2011, the 150th birth anniversary of the Nobel Laureate.

Referring to the MOU for cooperation signed last January between the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and Korean Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), Mr. Krishna suggested the satellites could be launched by Indian launch vehicles.

India to launch South Korean satellites

India and South Korea on Thursday discussed a host of bilateral issues including cooperation in space programmes with External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna, who is on an official visit there, suggesting that the South Korean satellites could be launched by Indian launch vehicles.

Describing the 40 minute meeting between Mr. Krishna and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak as “constructive and fruitful”, the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement that the two leaders underscored the importance of increasing people-to-people exchanges to bolster the bilateral strategic partnership.

Recalling his “landmark” visit to India this year as the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations, Mr. Lee appreciated Mr. Krishna’s visit to Seoul for the 6th Joint Commission meeting (JCM), which would give further impetus to bilateral relations and the initiatives announced during his visit to India.

Mr. Krishna also suggested a bust of Rabindranath Tagore, who had described Korea as the ‘Lamp of the East’, be installed at a prominent location in Seoul.

Welcoming the idea, President Lee said he would make a strong recommendation to the concerned city authorities to identify a suitable location for installing the bust of Tagore in 2011, the 150th birth anniversary of the Nobel Laureate.

Referring to the MOU for cooperation signed last January between the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and Korean Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), Mr. Krishna suggested the satellites could be launched by Indian launch vehicles.