India may meet its energy needs from moon by 2030

NEW DELHI — India may be able to meet all its energy requirements from resources on the moon by 2030, a scientist associated with the Isro said on Saturday.

Sivathanu Pillai, a distinguished professor at the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), said here that India’s all energy requirements can be met through Helium-3 mined from the moon.

“By 2030, this process target will be met,” Pillai said while delivering the valedictory address at the threeday ORF-Kalpana Chawla Space Policy Dialogue, organised by Observer Research Foundation.

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

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.

“In a few decades, people will be going to the moon for honeymoon,” Pillai quipped. 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 noted 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”. —