ISRO gears up for human spaceflight mission

Hassan

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is making steady progress toward sending a human into orbit, said former ISRO Chairman AS Kiran Kumar. Speaking at the Navottsava programme held at MS Ramaiah College, he stated that the human spaceflight mission is under research and could be experimentally implemented within a couple of years.

He added that an unmanned surface vehicle will be sent either this year or next as a preparatory step. “This year, an attempt is being made to launch a satellite called NISAR Synthetic Aperture Radar. Two other launches, Spadex and Chaser, are also planned. The chaser satellite has been renamed as Target, and preparations for its launch are ongoing. Docking and undocking work is in progress, and a new agreement has been signed between the Vedas mission and Japan,” he explained, noting ISRO’s strong focus on advanced space research.

Appreciating the Navottsava event, he said, “The programme was very well organized. It was a great pleasure to participate. Students must engage in other activities besides academics to learn how to handle life’s challenges and happiness. Only when children showcase their hidden talents in such events can they truly be recognized.”

He also spoke fondly of astronaut Sunita Williams. “Everyone knows that Sunita Williams has already arrived safely. The changes in her body are helping her recover, and she has expressed her desire to visit India soon. It is special that a school in Bengaluru celebrated her birthday while she was still aboard the satellite,” he said with joy.