India can meet its energy requirements from Moon by 2030, says ISRO

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New Delhi: A scientist associated with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Saturday said that India can meet all its energy requirements from the Moon by 2030.

Sivathanu Pillai, a distinguished professor at ISRO said,'India's all energy requirements can be met through Helium-3 mined from the Moon'.

While delivering the valedictory address at the three-day ORF-Kalpana Chawla Space Policy Dialogue, organised by Observer Research Foundation, the ISRO scientist said,'By 2030, this process target will be met'.

Pillai, a former chief of BrahMos Aerospace, said that mining lunar dust which is rich in Helium-3 is a priority programme for the ISRO.

According to an ORF release, Pillai said other countries are also working on the project and there is enough helium on the moon, which can meet the energy requirements of the world.

Pillai noted,"In a few decades, people will be going to the moon for honey-moon".

Lt. Gen. P.M. Bali, Director General, Perspective Planning, Indian Army, said the launch of GSAT-7, India's first dedicated military satellite, is a testimony to the country's outlook towards using the outer space for national security.

He added that India possesses one of the largest constellations of communication and remote sensing satellites covering Asia Pacific.

Lt. Gen. Bali said although India continues with a civilian orientation to its space programme, the changing regional and global realities require it to also develop military assets in space and on ground as an emerging regional and global power.

He said there is a need for a dedicated military space programme with adequate resources at its disposal because of "the changing realities in our neighbourhood".

(With IANS inputs)