HYDERABAD, India, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Madhavan Nair, chairman of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), said here Monday the ISRO was entering the next phase of space vision with components of advanced technologies for low cost access to space planetary exploration and manned mission initiatives in the next few decades.

Nair made this comment in Indian major IT city of Hyderabad, where the 58th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2007) kicked off on Monday.

"The proposed launching of the mission to moon, Chandrayaan-1, is part of this second vision, " said Nair, adding that the emphasis on societal applications would continue with vigor even as the ISRO embarks on the second vision.

"The Indian space program has become a large, self-reliant, application driven, integrated program with vital links to the user community, and committed to excellence in scientific endeavors," he said.

The ISRO, under Indian Department of Space executes Space program and through its establishments located in different places in India, has crossed several major milestones in Indian space development history. Its main objective of space program includes development of satellites, launch vehicles, sounding rockets and associated ground systems.

Being organized by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) in association with the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) and the International Institute of Space Law (IISL), the IAC2007, which will last from Monday to Friday, is hosted by the ISRO and the Astronautical Society of India.