The 39th Scientific Assembly of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) will be hosted this year by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and co-hosted by Infosys Technologies Limited. The theme of COSPAR 2012 is "Space - for the benefit of Mankind" and is taking place between 14 and 22 July.
International Council for Science (ICSU) founded COSPAR in 1958, and it is now considered to be one of the leading science research associations. COSPAR aims to promote space science research internationally and to provide a means for scientists to discuss issues that may affect the research. This is achieved through the scientific assemblies, and the COSPAR Scientific Assembly is the world’s largest interdisciplinary assembly of space science researchers.
The conference is being attended by more than 2,500 scientists and students from 75 different countries. There are more than 630 sessions, which will see over 3,600 scientific papers and posters being presented to the space science community. Participants will be presenting a vision for space exploration beyond 2020 as well as COSPAR’s recent study of “A Space Astronomy Global Road Map for the Next Decades.”
Speaking on the inaugral day of COSPAR 2012, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), K Radhakrishnan, emphasised that low cost missions to space are vital for future missions, and he hopes that the international synergy will help to cut the cost of access to space resources as well as Solar System exploration. He told the Assembly:
"India is aiming for international synergy in space missions. Collaborating, partnering and international synergy will be a win-win for all space stakeholders to fight huge costs and enormous human and related resources in taking up space missions. The international synergy will cut the cost of access to space resources and exploring inter-planetary solar system."
Radhakrishnan also said that safety and security of space-based assets are important for future space travel.
Representatives from space agencies around the world are attending COSPAR. Also present at the session were NASA director M S AlleCanadian Space Agency director general D Kendall, Italian Space Agency president E Saggese, German Space Research and Technology Centre executive H Dittus and JAXA research director Masato Nakamura.
Quotation source: The Economic Times