ISRO Chief Somanath Taking Careful Approach to Gaganyaan Launch

The chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation, S Somanath, announced on Thursday that the Gaganyaan project, which is India’s first manned mission to space, will not be rushed. The organisation wants to ensure that the mission is completely safe before proceeding.

Gaganyaan was supposed to launch in 2022, but due to covid-19, the delay was unreasonable, Somanath told reporters at the International Conference on Spacecraft Operations (SMOPS-2023).

“We have a different mindset now. Our mindset is that we don’t want to rush. That’s the decision we have taken. The primary goal of human spaceflight is a sure shot safe mission,” the ISRO chief said.

The Finnish Space Agency has redefined the task in such a way that it can be done right the first time. To this end, it has recently significantly improved the testing and demonstration task. These exercises include additional suspension missions to ensure the safety of the crew, he explained.

According to Somanath, the first exercise is likely to take place in August, which was earlier scheduled for July.

“So, two abort missions have to happen this year, followed by an unmanned mission possibly early next year,” the ISRO chairman said.

According to the astronaut, all engine test programs have been completed at ISRO.

Somanath informed that there is a hectic activity going on and said that every week at least some big tests happen.

“For me, there are eight major tests and if all the tests are successful without disruption, the launch will take place in 2024-2025. But if I face problems and challenges that are natural in this process, I will have to lower the schedule,” he added.

About 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 will move to January next year,” he added.

As for Chandrayaan-3, ISRO’s third lunar mission, according to Somanath, it is scheduled to launch in mid-July. ISRO is following the same process as during the Chandrayaan-2 mission, he said.

“We are going the same way as Chandrayaan-2 because we have already done it. We have experience of doing it this way, but it all depends on many other factors whether there are other readiness conditions,” Somanath said, adding. “The landing flight is exactly the same as before. No change.” Asked about the indigenization of Chandrayaan-3, the ISRO chairman said, “What we are doing at ISRO is 100% indigenous. We are not buying anything from anyone to do it, but of course we are buying some components like electronic chips, processors, some high-end equipment , but we’re not buying the Chandrayaan lander from anyone.” PTI GMS GMS KH ANE