‘Space technology can boost socio-economic development’

Speakers discuss ways to capitalise on potential to forewarn calamities, cope with disasters.

ISLAMABAD:

Space technology applications can act as a catalyst in social development. This was said by Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) Chairperson Ahmed Bilal, at the inaugration of country’s first-ever national space conference at the Comstech Auditorium on Monday.

Space technology, which relies on satellite communication, can be used to monitor crops, provide health services to remote areas, map water courses to determine water storage locations and develop risk maps for areas prone to floods or droughts. Data collected through space technology applications can also help policymakers develop better strategies to cope with problems.

The commission is using space technology applications in various fields including agriculture, health and disaster management, but more state patronage would be appreciated, Bilal said.

“We are trying to create jobs for students at the space science departments of Karachi University and Punjab University,” he added.

Chairman of the legal subcommittee of the UN Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, Dr Tare Charles Brisibe, who was the keynote speaker said, “The global economy and security are increasingly reliant on space technology and the UN is trying to promote international co-operation in space science and technology.”

The three-day conference will cover areas of private-public partnerships for development of the space sector and space law over the next two days.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 18^th, 2012.