Tiruchi (Tamil Nadu): The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has been successful in launching five satellites from one location at the longitudes specified for India.

The co-location of INSAT-4CR with EDUSAT, Kalpana - 1 with INSAT -3C have been cited by Dr. Mayilsami.

"More satellites will be stationed in the present locations of existing ones like GSAT - 2 and INSAT - 3E, 260 transponders have made India the world's largest satellite communication system", added Dr. Mayilsami in "The Bharat Ratna Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Endowment Lecture" organized by the Department of Physics, St. Joseph's College, in Tiruchi on Thursday.

Through a power point presentation on 'Advancements in Space Communication in India' he expressed that the ISRO could ensure 40 per cent returns on investment of every rupee by focusing on self reliant programmes and supporting the national development programmes.

"ISRO's geostationary satellites are designed to develop innovative grassroots level applications", Dr. Mayilsami professed citing the INSAT application for 30,000 virtual classrooms.

The INSAT and GSAT satellites were strengthening the country on the fronts of broadcasting, communication, meteorology and development. Now Tele-medicine application satellite link could be provided to 278 hospitals, 235 district and rural hospitals, 43 super-speciality hospitals and 10 mobile hospitals, benefiting three lakh patients.

"With Imagine Application, the Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission will be successful because the success rate in drilling is over 90 per cent. It maps 2,000 out of 2,400 locations covering two lakh habitats in seven states", he further explained.

Later talking to students, he expressed confidence that the Chandrayaan - 1 mission would be helpful in exploring the possibility of using other resources besides water. The mission has provided the direction of going to moon and landing on it.

For the manned mission proposal in 2015, the process of recruiting astronauts will be started from 2012. "The physical fitness, endurance levels, and mental stability of aspirants will be a major factor," he informed, inviting space enthusiasts to join the Space University.

Presiding over, the Director of National Institute of Technology - Tiruchi, M. Chidambaram advised students to make the seminars fruitful by gaining inter-disciplinary insights.

Dr. Chidambaram suggested that academicians must look forward to careers in teaching and research. Research in science and technology was vital for national development, he said, advocating life-long learning.