Wednesday, May 4 2005 21:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Sriharikota: President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, today (May 4, 2005) dedicated to the nation, the new launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Research Centre, constructed at a cost of Rs 400 crore, from where the CARTOSAT-1 would be launched into orbit by PSLV-C6 tomorrow morning.

Speaking at a simple function, he said there was a need to develop reusable launch vehicles. He also expressed the hope that ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) would develop such a vehicle, which could be totally reusable in another 30 years. It should be able to shuttle between Earth and space at least 100 times, carry satellites and put them into the orbit.

Praising the scientists at the Centre in Sriharikota for their achievements, he wished them success for the PSLV-C 6 launch.

The Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Sushil Kumar Shinde, ISRO chairman Madhavan Nair, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, P Lakshmi were among those who were present at the function.