Develop indigenous material to slash imports: Isro chief
Isro
chairman V Narayanan urged Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) community to develop materials and minerals indigenously to cut down on imports.
CSIR has 37 labs across the country, many of which have played a crucial role in the country's space programme.
Speaking at CSIR-NIIST golden jubilee conclave series on 'New Vistas in Critical Minerals and Materials' in the city on Friday, Narayanan said that indigenisation of materials and minerals is important as it would help reduce the cost incurred in imports at a time when Isro is going ahead with a variety of space programmes.
"The CSIR labs should sit together and create a roadmap to indigenise materials and to bring down the import content in materials and minerals to almost zero in the next 10 years.
It is possible because of our education system and committed people," Narayanan said.
He further said that the role of material scientists was crucial because composite materials and alloys were needed for specific requirements, including the need to withstand heat.
"Our experience with developing cryogenic systems showed that import of high conductivity copper from abroad increased the cost by 15 times. The cost will come down if we develop materials indigenously," he added.
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He said that there are several non-metallic materials also in rockets, like adhesives, insulation systems, forging and casting, and other high-energy materials. "In solid propulsion, initially we used high stainless steel as motor casing. We later moved to maraging steel (a high-strength low carbon alloy). This shows that the role of composite products is high," Narayanan said.
He detailed the progress made in the design and development of launchers, propulsion systems, satellites, technology to place multiple satellites in orbit without them colliding with one another, finding water on the Moon and future missions.
He said that the research and discussion in new vistas in materials development in terms of metallic, composite, thermal and protective system materials is crucial.
Narayanan said, "We are developing a semi-cryogenic engine which will be a 200-tonne engine that will require some 35 high nickel alloys. So, material manufacturing is an integral part of everything from satellites to automotive to aviation." India has several minerals which can be harnessed instead of depending on imports, he said.
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