Earth station to keep Indian contingents in Antartica linked Panaji, (PTI): Indian contingents on Antarctic expeditions will now be able to stay connected 24x7 to the mainland, with an earth station being planned at India's 'Maitri' research base.
The earth station is likely to take shape by March next year. The 27th Indian Scientific Expedition launched by Goa-based National centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR) has been entrusted with the task of setting up this station with the technical help of Ahmedabad-based Space Application Centre (SAC). "India will initially hire a satellite for the purpose and later will route the signals through independent satellite launched by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)," Arun Chaturvedi, who heads the 27th Antarctic expedition said. Chaturvedi, senior scientist from Geological Survey of India is heading the mission for the third time, while this is his 10th expedition to serene icy continent of Antarctica. The Earth station, which is a satellite receiving station, is considered as a milestone for India's research on Antarctica as it will aide the scientists in their endeavours not only for scientific communication, but also for getting help in the form of tele-medicine during emergencies, Chaturvedi said. More at: http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/008200712061547.htm ~(^^)~ Avelino