Isro inks deal with China for space exploration

BANGALORE: Breaking the ice with the northern neighbour, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), which has collaborated with several countries since 1960s, is finally set to work with the China National Space Administration.
To start with, a joint team of space scientists from the two countries will prepare a roadmap for a series of missions to be implemented together, Isro chairman K Radhakrishnan told STOI in an exclusive interview three days before the crucial Mars Orbiter Mission is inserted into the Red Planet’s orbit.
“An agreement was signed about two days ago. A joint working team comprising experts from China and India will begin work in the coming weeks,” he said. The agreement is aimed at encouraging exchange and cooperation for “peaceful purposes”, and a lot of emphasis will be on research and development, including of communication satellites. He, however, said names of people in the team cannot be revealed at this juncture. The agreement is seen as a great opportunity for India.
“This will be the first (agreement) with China and we look forward to it as both the countries are crucial in creating a strong space presence in Asia. There were some initiations in 1991, but nothing much happened. After that, there were comments here and there, but this is not just a gesture, but a concrete step forward in cooperation,” Radhakrishnan said.
Collaboration with countries such as the Soviet Union (now Russia) and the US has contributed significantly to India’s acquiring of critical know-how for many projects, while working with some European nations has brought in revenue. Asked about the areas of focus, he said: “Right now, broadly speaking, it will be natural disasters and remote sensing, which are natural choices. But by March-April 2015, the joint working team would have prepared a roadmap, chalking out various options and opportunities for concentrated efforts in space exploration.”
After Mars, Kathakali beckons Isro chief
BANGALORE: After the Mars Orbiter Mission, Isro chairman K Radhakrishnan will take a totally different stage. From the world of space, he will return to his old world of music and dance. Kathakali, to be precise.
The classical Indian dance form has been his passion for long. This space-man last performed Kathakali in December 1995. It was at the Ayyappa temple in Jalahalli, north Bangalore. “I moved to Hyderabad from here and could not find a teacher to continue practice. By the time I came back, there was too much responsibility, and I just did not have the opportunity or time,” he told STOI.
Almost two decades later, in 2013, a senior Kathakali artiste reignited a thought in Radhakrishnan’s mind. “He has been insisting that I perform again. But with the Mars Mission and other key assignments, I did not know if I should,” he said. That is set to change now. “In April 2015, I may...I might give a performance with him,” Radhakrishnan said.
After the completion of the Mars mission, Radhakrishnan’s tenure at Isro is scheduled to end in December. He said he will practise Kathakali in first three months of 2015. “However, I have not quit classical singing, which I began learning in Bangalore while studying at IIM-B,” he said, sipping warm water boiled with ginger.