The Moon power: India could meet its energy requirements from the natural satellite by 2030, says ISRO

We human beings on Earth evolved and learned to utilise the natural resources. Thanks to technological advancements, we know it very well to use the energy from our Sun for right purposes. Sun has always been a source of energy, but now India can even fulfil its energy requirements from the Moon, ISRO scientists have said.

According to Sivathanu Pillai, a distinguished professor at the ISRO, India would meet its energy requirements from the Moon by 2030. How? Through Helium-3 mined from the moon, he said. "By 2030, this process target will be met," Pillai said.

He was delivering the valedictory address at the three-day Observer Research Foundation (ORF)-Kalpana Chawla Space Policy Dialogue, organised by ORF.

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

He said that other countries are also working on the project. The ample amount of helium on the Moon can meet the energy requirements of the whole world, read an ORF statement.

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

According to Lt Gen P M Bali, Director General, Perspective Planning, Indian Army, 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 the national security.

He said that India has one of the largest constellations of communication and remote sensing satellites in the world and covers Asia Pacific.

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

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