India to host Intl Space Meet in September 2007

Banglore, July 16: Leading Astronautical experts from across the globe will converge in Hyderabad from September 24 for the four day 58th International Astronautical Congress--IAC 2007 that will discuss the leading developments in space.

The annual event is hailed as one of the prestigious meets of the world's Astronautical community organised jointly by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) and International Institute of Space Law (IISL).

Astronautical Society of India (ASI) and Indian Space Research Organisation, ISRO is hosting this event in India. India had earlier hosted the Congress in Bangalore in 1988.

ISRO in a release here said ISRO/ASI scientists have played a significant role in the activities of IAF, IAA and IISL. ISRO Chairman G Madhavan Nair is the President of ASI and also the Vice President of the Scientific Activities of IAA.

ISRO said by electing India to host the 58th Session of IAC, the world space community has recognised the country's significant achievements in space science and technology and their benefits to humankind. It was also significant that India is hosting the IAC in the year 2007 which marks the 50th anniversary of the first launch of Russian Sputnik-1 in 1957 that heralded the space age.

In his message to the Congress IAF President James V Zimmerman has said that India had, for many years, been pursuing a wide range of space applications programme and the theme of the Hyderabad Congress ''Touching Humanity: Space for Improving the Quality of Life'' would enable the space community to focus on the growing use of space to improve the lives of humankind. He said the Congress would also provide an opportunity to discuss many robotic and human space exploration activities to expand our knowledge of the universe.

More than 2,500 delegates including eminent leaders, professionals and industrialists engaged in space science, technology and applications from all over the world would be participating in IAC 2007. The important aspects of the congress included Technical Sessions, where about 1,300 selected technical papers covering topics on Space Science, Space Technology, Infrastructure, Space Applications and Interaction with Society would be presented and Plenary Event and Highlight Lectures, where chiefs of Space agencies would deliberate on their accomplishments and future plans apart from interacting with participants. Invited eminent astronauts and space scientists would deliver the talks.

A demonstration on space systems based telemedicine linking hospitals between India and Europe is also planned as part of open Plenary Event on the last day.

UNI