This refers to the editorial, “Pocket-friendly rockets” (August 30). The successful testing of Dual Mode Ramjet (DMRJ) engine, the technology designed to deliver supersonic and hypersonic speeds, is yet another feather in the cap of the Indian Space Research Organisation. Unlike the expensive, expendable platforms like the Polar Satellite launch Vehicle, the scramjet engine, premised on the idea of ‘air breathing' to lessen the amount of oxidiser to be carried with the fuel, will strengthen Isro’s idea of developing a reusable concept vehicle launch platform — the Avatar.
For every rupee spent, Isro has given more than two in return and made India a contender in the quest for beyond. It is time the politicians opposed to the Government's investment in space and intercontinental transportation stopped juxtaposing such high return yielding research projects. The Avatar programme will be a great encouragement for the emerging generations of scholars and scientists to undertake research and development at indigenous levels.
