A study carried out by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in the past four years to examine the technological challenges of a manned space mission suggest India has the capability to overcome them.
Dr BN Suresh, director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram, presented the study at the meeting called by ISRO on Tuesday to discuss with other experts from across the country its space plans.
The study highlighted that ISRO had the maturity in many technologies required for the manned space mission. However, aspects like life-support systems, reliability and safety and crew-escape system need to be upgraded.
Madan Lal, deputy director of VSSC, made a detailed presentation on the various aspects of the manned space mission. The concept for the mission includes the development of an autonomous Orbital Vehicle that could be launched by India’s Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, GSLV-Mk II or GSLV-Mk III.
Dr N Balakrishnan, associate director of Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, who participated in the discussions, told HT, "This community (space scientists) has proven itself time and again. We need such a fabulous mission to retain good scientists and to attract the best of young talent.”
“This will be a national mission on the lines of the LCA (light combat aircraft) and IGMDP (Integrated Guided Missiles Development Programme). That vehicle (GSLV) is very good and we need to find better uses for it," he said.
{{/usCountry}}“This will be a national mission on the lines of the LCA (light combat aircraft) and IGMDP (Integrated Guided Missiles Development Programme). That vehicle (GSLV) is very good and we need to find better uses for it," he said.
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