Advancement in ceramics technology vital, says VSSC chief

Noting that many successful missions of ISRO were possible due to developments in the field of special materials like advanced ceramics, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre director Dr K Sivan today stressed the need for putting in more efforts in their development.
He said in the recent Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) mission, silica tiles, used as thermal protection system, stand testimony to the advancement in ceramics technology in the country.
Highlighting the development and usage of ceramics for accelerometer in navigation systems, Sivan said more efforts were needed to be put in for self reliance in this area.
Development of materials like silica aerogel, developed at VSSC, has many applications, including in the armed forces, Sivan said.

He was speaking at a two-day national workshop 'Towards Self-reliance in Advanced Ceramics for Strategic Sectors'- ACer-2016, organised by Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) in association with VSSC here.
ISRO chairman A S Kiran Kumar inaugurated the workshop via video conferencing.
Dr S C Sharma, S Somanath, M V Dhekane and Dr P V Venkitakrishnan were among those who attended the function.