- 10 Nov 2008 To 10 Nov 2008
Venue : Amity University Campus, Sector-125, Noida
Students of Amity University had a memorable day today when Dr. Kumar Krishen, renowned Senior Scientist and lead technologist from NASA Johnson Space Centre presented a lecture on the topics “Technology Innovations from Small Business Funded by NASA” at Amity University Campus, Sector-125, Noida. The lecture was organized by Amity Science, Technology & Innovation Foundation (ASTIF). Dr. Kumar Krishen was welcomed by Prof. Dr. Sunil Saran, Vice Chairman, ASTIF, Dr. V.P. Sandlas, Director General, Amity Institute of Space Science & Technology.
Addressing more than 1,000 students, Dr. Kumar Krishen said that India is nation of innovation. India has been and will remain prominent in space and technology. From the glorying era of Arya Bhatt till now, India has done tremendous progress in space science. Depicting the rich history of ancient India, Dr. Krishen said that Lunar Calendar which can calculate the accurate movement of moon and thus can calculate time and date is a perfect example. 1/10 of nanosecond is defined in Indian system as ‘truti’ which no country in west can ever calculate. Dr. Krishen said that NASA has calculated that in App. 3-4 billion years after Sun will fade out and will be end of earth system and it is exactly same as calculated in India and termed as ‘Pralay’.
Briefing the students about the space exploration, Dr. Krishen said that it is extremely expensive to take every kilogram of matter into space. There are some practical difficulties which NASA is working on to solve like to minimize everything into 1/10 of weight or reducing size or generating power into spacecrafts facing particle radiations, temperature, thermo-cycling etc. Dr. Krishen said to solve most of the problems we have to device multi function modular system. Dr. Krishen said that in space mission one have to recycle everything, so we have to able to use what is there in that planet. For example, in moon there are solid rocks. We have to break those rocks and make it into soil to grow plants.
Dr. Krishen said that even though there are developmental issues for any country and questions are raised regarding the amount of money spent on space research but space has certain benefits too. First benefit is psychological or emotional benefit which a country derived from any successful mission like Indian is deriving from its Chandrayan mission. The common man can derive benefit by thinking that if the country can do so much than I can also do some thing for my country. Second benefit is job opportunity for India where most of the young persons are pursuing science field of studies. Third benefit is that the technology which we use in space may use in daily activities in earth also. For example Water purification system was taken from Apollo mission.
Dr. Krishen said that the motto of NASA is To improve life here, to extend life to there, To find life beyond. Small Business Innovation Research is a Congressionally mandated program for small business to stimulate technological innovation and moving ideas from research institute to market. App. $2.3 billion is spend every year in three phases. First phase is project phase which is for 6 months. Second phase is project development to prototype which is for 2 years and third phase is commercialization. He gave examples which were commissioned under this scheme like Force feedback hand controller, miniature high resolution display, land form visual flight, development of synthetic muscles, Med star monitoring system, Nano ceramic sterlisation filter.
This enriching lecture was attended by Senior Scientists, academicians, officials of Amity University.