The launch of GSLV- D3 was earlier scheduled for December 2009 and later postponed for lauch in January 2009. The launch of PSLV - 16 was planned prior to that of GSLV- D3.

The director of Satish Dhawan Space Centre-SHAR, MC Dathan said : “The launch of GSLV - D3 was delayed as we are reviewing the indigenous cryogenic stage. The GSLV-D3 will be powered by an indigenous cryogenic stage built for the first time by the Indian Space Research Organisation. It will put in orbit a communication satellite, GSAT-4.”

He said that the PSLV - 16 will also be launched in March to put in orbit Cartosat-2B; Alsat, a small satellite from Algeria; two nano-satellites from the University of Toronto, and another nano-satellite, Studsat (Students' satellite), built by several Indian universities.

Dathan, who is participating in the 97th Indian Science Congress at Thiruvananthapuram said : “In January, this year we will do the ground testing of the biggest solid booster for GSLV Maitri which is scheduled to be launched in 2011. ISRO also has a programme to use reusable launch vessel to carry hygrogen to produce water in combination of oxygen extracted from the atmosphere. As we would not carry water this would help us to reduce the weight of vessel at the take off stage.” He said that ISRO was exploring the possibility of using kerosene as a fuel option..

The CMD of the Cochin International Airport Ltd, Dr CG Krishnadas Nair said that India would soon make a headway in the areospace industry by producing a light helicopter which would fly at a level of 6 km. He urged the government for a proactive aeronautic policy and setting up of adequate institutes for aeronautic study.

The former Chairman of ISRO, Prof. U R Rao said “the next 50 years of space activities would be spectacular. There are nine challenges which are food security, energy security, environmental security, resource security, space security, space transportation, search for life, exploration of the universe and colonisation of Mars. The space scientists would have to bear this responsibility. Space technology should play the role in helping agriculture and food production. It can be used for better meteorological forecasting and give advance warning of any natural disaster.”

He stressed the importance of energy security for industrial expansion, agriculture and infrastructure growth. He explained with figures that per capita energy usage of India is far lower than many other developed and developing nations. Space technology can play a significant role in coping with India's energy deficit by better utilisation of energy resources. He added that space technology can help in the learning of the effects of global warming, carbon dioxide emission

He envisaged a “Vision for Space Exploration”, which includes Chandrayaan-2 and manned missions. Other space activities like hunting for extra terrestrial life/ intelligence and extension of human presence across solar system could be taken up in the future.

The director-general EUMETSAT, Dr Lars Parhm said that a number of collaborative activities have been undertaken by space agencies across the globe for disaster management. He said that ISRO and EUMETSAT have agreed for sharing and management of earth observation data. He said that EUMETSAT has also agreed to discuss with ISRO for the sharing of ocean wind vector data from the recently launched Oceansat-2.#