Acta Astronautica Vol. 19, No. 9, p. 785, 1989 0094-5765/89 $3.00 + 0.00 Printed in Great Britain. All rights reserved Copyright © 1989 Pergamon Press pie

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DISCUSSION

Rapporteur, KIP, AN KARNIK Director, Development and Educational Communication Unit, Indian Space Research Organization,

Ahmedabad 380 053, India

(Received 31 May 1989)

Mr Doyle noted that it is easier to be innovative in the field of space technology because it is a new field in which there are few barriers or obstacles, unlike more established domains which have more vested interests. However, his approach towards developing space programs that will generate social benefits would, he felt, be applicable in other fields as well.

Professor Gorove pointed out the important role that has been played by India and Indonesia in demonstrating how developing countries can develop and use space technology for achieving social benefits. Dr Ploman pointed out that while developing countries could certainly benefit much from studying India's experience, developed countries could also learn from it, particularly in the field of satellite broadcasting in which India's efforts, unlike those in Europe, were clearly designed to meet social needs. Professor Yash Pal emphasized the importance of an "end-to-end" or total systems approach to ensure effective and productive use of space technology or any other technology.

Professor Massevitch pointed out that developing countries just beginning to consider space activities and with little or no financial resources for the purpose could begin with very low-cost and simple projects such as the establishment of satellite tracking stations in cooperation with countries that launched satellites and needed international facilities to track them. She noted that the Soviet Union had agreements with a number of developing countries under which the Soviet Union built tracking stations and trained people to assist in their operation. The developing country thus receives training and technical skills at no cost.

Dr Binod Agrawal said that there was no definite economic or social data to support claims for societal benefits from space technology. Data from India and Indonesia indicates that applications of space technology have made the rich richer and the poor poorer. Mr Doyle contested this view, stating that much data exists on benefits from space activities, as illustrated by Intelsat, which had provided tremendous benefits as steadily decreasing costs. Mr Doyle also noted that investments in space generated higher return on investments than investments in other areas, such as subsidized businesses like agriculture.

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