Zip across planets on a DRDO vehicle

The defence research organisation is working on a hypersonic spacecraft that can be used to journey to Mars

March 02, 2015 12:00 am | Updated 09:07 am IST - Hyderabad:

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is working on a hypersonic vehicle which can be used for inter-planetary transport. The futuristic vehicle could be used for journeying to Mars, said Tessy Thomas, Director of DRDO’s Advanced Systems Laboratory.

Delivering the National Science Day lecture at University of Hyderabad on Saturday, Dr. Thomas said the transportation system would undergo a sea change in the coming years. Bullet trains were being designed to travel at speed of 850 km per hour.

Futuristic transport like hypersonic aircrafts could take one from one country to another in hours.

Immense benefits

Tracing the growth of technology in India, Dr. Thomas said the benefits of science and technology were immense in the day-to-day life. Whether it was agriculture, irrigation, power, medicine or communication, technology had brought in huge benefits. With the development of satellite technology, there were now early warning systems available to avert natural disasters.

“All technological developments are ultimately beneficial to the common man,” she said.

‘Live your dreams’

Director of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology Ch. Mohan Rao asked students to do what they liked and not live the dreams of others. A keen observation and a child-like curiosity were essential to developing scientific temper. He cited examples from the life of noted scientist C.V. Raman to explain how he made immense contribution to science through his sense of observation.

UoH Vice-Chancellor E. Haribabu advised the students to develop rational thinking. They should not accept anything unless it made logical sense. They should also be original in whatever they did. Dr. Haribabu asked students to cultivate idea of sustainability since they were the future guardians of earth.

Transportation system will undergo a sea change in the coming years. Bullet trains were being designed to travel at speed of 850 km per hour. Futuristic transport like hypersonic aircrafts could take one from one country to within hours

Tessy Thomas

Director, DRDO Advanced Systems Laboratory

The country’s premier defence research organisation is working on a hypersonic vehicle that can be used to journey to Mars

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