ISRO’s Chairman S. Somanath, on Friday, September 20, 2024, has assured that they will take many necessary precautions before the manned Gaganyaan mission. This mission is going to be the most important mission in India’s space history.
Chairman S. Somanath speaking at the Bengaluru Space Expo. He explained the importance of thorough testing to ensure the mission’s success and safety through his speech.
He said that ISRO will conduct its first uncrewed mission in December 2024. Then it will followed by next three more uncrewed missions. Furthermore, he added that the manned mission will only proceed if these missions are successful. S. Somnath said we don’t want any life-threatening situation like Boeing’s Starliner.
The Gaganyaan project aims to demonstrate human spaceflight capability by sending a crew of three members to an orbit of 400 km for a three-day mission. The crew will then safely return to Earth, landing in Indian sea waters. This mission is a significant step for India in space exploration.
Somanath stressed the importance of being cautious. He said, “We should be very, very careful. We should be very pessimistic. We should work in such a manner that it can go wrong. That type of approach is important for us to make sure that the mission finally becomes successful.” This cautious approach is crucial to avoid any mishaps and ensure the safety of the astronauts.
The ISRO Chairman also discussed the upcoming Chandrayaan-4 mission, the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), and the Bharatiya Anatriksh Station. The Union Cabinet has approved these projects with an overall outlay of about ₹22,000 crore. Somanath mentioned that these projects are part of the government’s vision for long-term space missions.
The Chandrayaan-4 mission is an expansion of India’s lunar exploration program. The Venus Orbiter Mission aims to study Venus, which is considered more challenging than Mars due to its harsh atmospheric conditions. The Next Generation Launch Vehicle will replace the currently operational systems, and the Bharatiya Anatriksh Station will be India’s first space station.
Somanath also highlighted the importance of international collaboration. He mentioned that ISRO is sharing expertise with the French space agency for the Gaganyaan mission. This collaboration will help in enhancing the mission’s success rate.
The Gaganyaan mission is a significant milestone for India. It will place India among the elite group of countries capable of human spaceflight. The mission will inspire the next generation and create a technological leap in India’s space activities.
Somanath’s cautious approach reminds of the complexities involved in space missions. The success of the Gaganyaan mission will depend on meticulous planning and execution. ISRO’s commitment to safety and thorough testing will be important in achieving this milestone.
