Over 1,600 space applications revolutionised life: ISRO chief

More than 1,600 technologies, including the mega-pixel cameras and MRI machines, which were developed for space application, has revolutionised lives of common man, ISRO chief A S Kiran Kumar said today.
He said many new innovations are coming up for new missions of GAGAN, Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (INRSS), re-usebale launch vehicles, Astrosat, Aditya and inter-planetary missions.
"Sometimes, a key innovation does not come from a new technology, but from an application of an existing technology in ways that offer cost and performance benefits unforseen (earlier).
"The megapixel cameras using which you take selfies was originally designed of space photography. The MRI that acts as guide to life-saving (medical process) was made for moon observation for Apollo Mission. Welcrow used in bags, shoes and purses were popularised to bind equipment in zero gravity solutions. In fact, over 1,600 technologies ended up revolutiionsing our lives," he said.

Kumar, who is also the secretary of the Department of Space, was speaking at a convocation ceremony of a private university.
He said, in order to compete, it was necessary to innovate rapidly and cost effectively. Availability of any new technology in a way leads to be new benefits.
He said ISRO has been able to tap every opportunity available to realise this vision and has succesfully adopted its innovative concepts and technologies since early days of its inception.
"It could make use of, as early adaptors of new technology, could use technolgy for remote sensing imaging, three in one concept of INSAT series facilitating meteorology, communication and broadcasting application and bringing on obe platform, the moon and mars borbyer mission," Kumar said.