A global satellite for earth observation and disaster risk reduction — GlobalSat for DRR—proposed under the UN framework is to be dedicated to A P J Abdul Kalam as a tribute to the vision of the celebrated rocket scientist and former Indian president who died July 27.

This has been stated by Milind Pimprikar, Chairman of CANEUS (CANada-Europe-US-ASia) Organization on SpaceTechnologiesfor Societal Applications headquartered in Montreal, Canada.

Founded in 1999, CANEUS serves to develop a common platform for space technology solutions for natural and manmade disaster management. The 'GlobaISat for DRR' is a UN-driven global initiative on sharing space technology for disaster risk reduction, Pimprikar told IANS.

Pimprikar said the goals of UN GlobatSat are the same as those of Kalam. In his 'World Space Vision-2050' Kalam had envisaged space faring nations joining hands to find solutions to mankind's major problems such as natural disasters, energy and water scarcity, healthcare education issues and weather prediction. "Therefore we now plan to dedicate the UN GlobalSat initiative as a tribute to Late Dr Abdul Kalam by renaming it 'UN Kalam GlobalSat',"Pimprikarsaid.

Pimprikar hoped the renaming will inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and space explorers to foster innovation and entrepreneurship and pooling of resources to find low-cost solutions to major problems facing mankind.