Isro's Mahendragiri centre elevated, gets more powers
TIRUNELVELI: The liquid propulsion systems centre (LPSC) at Mahendragiri in Tirunelveli will henceforth be called as the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) Propulsion Complex, according to Isro chairman K Radhakrishnan, who made the official announcement at a function held in Mahendragiri on Friday.
With this,
the long-pending demand of the scientists and stakeholders of the LPSC in Mahendragiri, one of the three such centres in the country, has been met with. The move would now help the complex to get autonomous power and would function as a separate department of Isro.
The Mahendragiri centre, which was functioning under LPSC in Valiyamala near Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, would henceforth directly report to the Isro chairman.
D Karthikesan, associate director of LPSC, Mahendragiri, who was described as outstanding scientist by Radhakrishnan during the programme, would take charge as the director of the newly-elevated Isro Propulsion Complex from February 1. He would have autonomous powers as head of the department.
Addressing the scientists, Radhakrishnan said that the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Liquid Propulsion System Centres, Isro Propulsion Complex and Sriharikota would be working together as a single unit in launching the vehicles. "We need coordination to launch the vehicles and cryogenic engine development. Considering the need for effective coordination between Isro Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri, LPSCs and Isro, a team has been formed. Director of LPSC will chair it, director of Isro Propulsion Complex will be member secretary, director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, the additional secretary and scientific secretary in department of space will be the members," he said.
To ensure clean records, a team consisting of joint secretary in the department of space, director launching vehicle programme office, controller of LPSC, group director of programme validity evaluation group of LPSC and two senior representatives of Isro Propulsion Complex has been constituted, the chairman also said.
The Mahendragiri centre has been instrumental in assembling and testing as many as 125 engines made by Isro so far. The elevation would be a challenge to the scientists working in the centre. They should take up the challenge and develop themselves. In another five to 10 years the complex should develop a lot, the chairman insisted.
Talking about the recently launched GSLV-D5 rocket Radhakrishnan said that Isro is developing very fast. The GSLV was launched with great precision and well positioned. It is performing well as expected, he said.
Meanwhile, minister of state in Prime Minister's Office V Narayanasamy said on Friday that the third rocket launching pad is being considered in Kulasekaranpattinam of Tuticorin district by the central government. Talking to reporters at Mahendragiri, the minister said that there has been a demand for setting up the launching pad in Kulasekaranpattinam, as it is found to be a vantage point. He praised the scientists in Isro for taking the country to the next level in space research. The elevation of the Mahendragiri centre would further help in the development, he said.
Isro's Mahendragiri centre elevated, gets more powers - Times Of India