Chief Scientific Advisor to the Government of India Prof.K.Vijayaraghavan presents a degree certificate to a student at the convocation ceremony of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology i Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday. more-in ISRO is working on a small, low-cost launch vehicle to send lighter satellites into orbit. The rocket is slated for test flight in the second half of 2019, ISRO chairman K.Sivan said here on Wednesday. Addressing the convocation ceremony of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, he said a lot of innovation had gone into the design of the new launch vehicle. Justifying the development of the new platform, he said the existing launch vehicle systems were not easily amenable to value engineering exercise for cost reduction as this required changes and validation of designs, a costly and time consuming process. Dr.Sivan said though ISRO had all the basic ingredients for executing a human space flight demonstration, a lot of technology development had to be done to accomplish the goal. “ISRO centres have to work in tandem with other research and development agencies, industries, the academia and other global space agencies,” he said. Dr.Sivan highlighted the need to enhance the scope and breadth of space based services in mobile communication, crop coverage, disaster management and health and social services. Chief Scientific Advisor to the Government of India Prof.K.Vijayaraghavan who delivered the convocation address called on young scientists to follow the ISRO model of technology development and application. He urged them to address the environmental issues that pose a threat to the survival of the planet. IIST Chancellor Dr.B.N. Suresh presided.

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