Last updated: Jun 09, 2023, 5:15 PM IST
The Gaganyaan mission is a big one for ISRO
Indian Space Research Organization has decided not to rush its Gaganyaan project, the manned mission to space, as it wants to ensure the country’s first manned spaceflight is a ‘sure shot safe’ mission, its chairman S Somanath here Thursday.
Bengaluru, June 8: Indian Space Research Organization has decided not to rush its Gaganyaan project, the manned mission to space, as it wants to ensure the country’s first manned spaceflight is a “certain shot safe mission,” said its chairman S Somanath here on Thursday.
Gaganyaan was due to launch in 2022, but due to Covid-19, there was an excessive delay, Somanath told reporters at the International Conference on Spacecraft Mission Operations (SMOPS-2023).
“We have a different mindset now. Our mindset is that we don’t want to rush. We made that decision. The primary goal of manned spaceflight is a safe mission,” said the ISRO chief.
The space agency has redefined the mission so that it will be successful on the first try. For this, it has significantly improved the test and demonstration mission in recent times. These exercises include additional abort missions to ensure crew safety, he explained.
According to Somanath, the first exercise is likely to take place in August, which was previously planned for July.
“This year, therefore, two demolition missions should take place, followed by an unmanned mission possibly early next year,” said the ISRO chairman.
The space scientist said all engine testing programs within ISRO have been completed.
Somanath stated that hectic activities are taking place and said at least some major tests are taking place every week.
“For me, there are eight major tests and if all tests pass without problems, the launch will take place between 2024 and 2025. But if I encounter problems and challenges, which are natural in this process, I have to discount for the schedule,” added he to it.
On India’s first solar mission, Aditya-L1, Somanath said the launch window is from August this year to January next year.
“If we can’t launch it in August, we’ll go to January next year,” he added.
As for Chandrayaan-3, ISRO’s third lunar mission, Somanath said it will launch in mid-July. ISRO will follow the same process adopted during the Chandrayaan-2 mission, he said.
“We are going on the same path of Chandrayaan-2 because we have already done that. We have experience doing it that way, but it all depends on several other factors whether there are other contingencies,” Somanath said, adding : “The landing flight is exactly the same as before. No change.” When asked about how indigenous Chandrayaan-3 is, the ISRO chairman said, “What we do in ISRO is 100 percent indigenous. We don’t buy anything from anyone to do it, but of course we buy some components like electronic chips, processors , some advanced devices, but we don’t buy Chandrayaan lander from anyone.” PTI GMS GMS KH ANE
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and was published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)
