Bengaluru:

V Narayanan has assumed charge as the chairman of ISRO, replacing S Somanath, the Space Agency said.

In a statement, the ISRO said, “Dr V Narayanan, Distinguished Scientist (Apex Grade), assumed the charge of Secretary, Department of Space, Chairman, Space Commission and Chairman, ISRO on the afternoon of January 13, 2025.” Prior to this, Narayanan served as the Director of ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), a key facility responsible for the development of propulsion systems for launch vehicles and spacecraft.

He also played a pivotal role as the Chairman of the National Level Human Rated Certification Board (HRCB) for the Gaganyaan programme, India’s ambitious human spaceflight mission.

A veteran scientist, Narayanan joined ISRO in 1984 and has contributed significantly to India’s space missions over the decades. He became the Director of LPSC in January 2018, cementing his reputation as a leader in rocket and spacecraft propulsion technologies.

Narayanan hails from a humble background and is an alumnus of IIT Kharagpur, where he completed his M.Tech in Cryogenic Engineering and PhD in Aerospace Engineering. Awarded the Silver Medal for securing the first rank in his M.Tech programme, he has also received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2018 and the Life Fellowship Award in 2023 from IIT Kharagpur.

Before joining ISRO, Narayanan worked for a brief period at TI Diamond Chain Ltd., Madras Rubber Factory, and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) at Trichy and Ranipet.

Over his 40-year tenure at ISRO, including seven years as Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), he has made groundbreaking contributions to India’s space programme.

“When India was denied the cryogenic technology for GSLV Mk-ll vehicle, he designed the engine systems, developed necessary software tools, contributed for establishing the necessary infrastructure and test facilities, testing and qualification and completing the development of Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) and making it operational,” ISRO said.

As project director of the C25 cryogenic project for the LVM3 vehicle, he led the development of the C25 cryogenic stage powered by a 20-tonne thrust engine, which was crucial for the successful maiden launch of LVM3. His M.Tech thesis and PhD work were instrumental in the development of these systems, making India one of only six countries with indigenous cryogenic technology.

Narayanan played a vital role in India’s lunar missions. For Chandryaan-2 and 3, he led the development of the L110 Liquid Stage, the C25 Cryogenic Stage, and propulsion systems that enabled the spacecraft to reach the Moon’s orbit and achieve a soft landing.

For the PSLV C57/Aditya L1 mission, he oversaw the realisation of the second and fourth stages, control power plants, and the propulsion system that helped position the spacecraft in a halo orbit at L1, making India the fourth country to successfully study the Sun.

Narayanan has been instrumental in the Gaganyaan programme, contributing to the human-rating of the LVM3 vehicle and the development of various systems, including cryogenic stages, life support systems, and propulsion systems for the crew and service modules. He also chaired the Gaganyaan Certification Board, overseeing the certification process for multiple systems.

Under his leadership, ISRO has advanced the development of next-generation propulsion systems, including a 200-tonne thrust LOX-Kerosene semi-cryogenic rocket system, a 110-tonne thrust LOX-Methane engine, and electric and green propulsion systems for spacecraft.

He has also guided the propulsion systems for upcoming missions such as the Venus Orbiter, Chandrayaan-4, and the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS).

He is a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering, Aeronautical Society of India, Astronautical Society of India, and other esteemed organizations.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

India’s first attempt to dock two live satellites in space has not been abandoned and the docking could actually take place in the next few days, ISRO Chairman Dr S Somanath has confirmed.

“Space crafts are at a distance of 1.5 km and on hold mode. Further drift to 500 m is planned to be achieved by tomorrow morning,” the Indian Space Research Organization or ISRO said in a statement.

The choreographed dance of satellites in space as part of India’s first Space Docking Experiment after initial hiccups is now progressing well and the ISRO is hopeful that the docking, or mating of the satellites, in space could happen soon enough.

India made two attempts for docking on January 7 and 9 but glitches in the process made scientists at the space agency abandon the attempts and many feared that India’s big experiment in the New Year, of mating two Indian space crafts in outer space flying at 470 kilometers above Earth, could well be abandoned. But now Dr Somanath has given confidence that things could well be back on track.

“The satellites are in very good health and safe and if all goes well docking will be attempted in the next few days,” Dr Somanath said  speaking to Akashvani News.

“The space docking experiment is our first attempt to try out the docking and every first attempt has its own challenges. We are learning our baby steps now, some of the attempts we did not materialize into final docking. But we have learnt all the lessons, did all the corrections and once again the satellites are coming closer. In the coming days we will decide to do the docking. We are finalizing some of the trimming maneuvers and programs that will help us to do the docking safely. We need to do many corrections and amends to do all of the planned things, also to make sure that nothing untoward happens,” Mr Somanath said, underscoring that “our satellites are in very good health and the docking will happen in a few days from now”.

On being asked if the SpaDeX mission has been a success so far, Dr Somanath added: “The success … the ultimate goal though is docking, but every step we learnt through this process is a journey and through that we learnt many things. Formation flying is another that we have, keeping them at a known distance and fly them is another critical knowledge we need since a combination of propulsion and sensors and up to this it has worked very-very well. Up to now, it is going very smoothly.”

The first attempt on January 7 was abandoned as an ‘abort scenario’ needed more simulation and then the docking scheduled for January 9 was called off as the satellites had drifted far apart’. Scientists at the ISRO are hopeful that the docking could well be attempted soon.

On December 30, ISRO’s workhorse, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), lifted off with twin 220-kg satellites for space and released in a 470-km circular orbit.

Docking is a complex maneuver perfected only by China, the US, and Russia.

ISRO’s SpaDeX mission involved two satellites separated by 20 km in a 470 km circular orbit. A chaser and target satellite move at a speed of 28,800 kmph, or 10 times the speed of a bullet, but they appear to be stationary due to zero relative velocity.

When the docking process begins, the satellites will be brought closer. The chaser will approach the target with progressively reduced inter-satellite distances of 5 km, 1.5 km, 500 m, 225 m, 15 m, and 3 m, ultimately leading to the precise docking of the two spacecraft.

When the docking happens, the chaser will move closer to the target at a speed of 10 mm per second and hold onto the target.

The system developed indigenously, is named Bhartiya Docking System. Incidentally, the ISRO has taken a patent for this technology. The mission’s success is crucial for completing future programmes such as Chandrayaan 4 and making the Bhartiya Antariksh Station and Gaganyaan.

New Delhi:

Rocket scientist V Narayanan will take over the mantle from current Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief S Somanath on January 14. His elevation was announced by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

Here some some key points about his academic and ISRO journey:

• Mr Narayanan completed his M Tech in Cryogenic Engineering and PhD in Aerospace Engineering from IIT, Kharagpur, where he was awarded a Silver Medal for achieving the first rank in the M Tech programme.
• The rocket and spacecraft propulsion expert joined ISRO in 1984 and rose through the ranks.
• He had earlier worked in the Solid Propulsion area of Sounding Rockets and Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) and Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).
• Mr Narayanan played a key role in India’s development of the cryogenic engine, a technology that was denied to the country.
• He further contributed to the process planning, process control and realisation of Ablative nozzle systems, composite motor cases and composite Igniter cases.
• Among his recent successes was when he headed the Failure Analysis Commitee for Chandrayaan 2, the mission in which the Vikram Lander crash landed. After he found a solution, Chandrayaan 3 became a glorious success when India Vikram safely landed at Shiv Shakti Point.
• Mr Narayanan is the head of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Kerala’s Valiamala since 2018. The centre is engaged in the development of liquid, semi cryogenic and cryogenic propulsion stages for launch vehicles, chemical and electric propulsion systems for satellites, control systems for launch vehicles, and transducers development for space systems health monitoring.
• Mr Narayanan is now a distinguished scientist (APEX Scale) and seniormost director in ISRO.
• He is also the Chairman of the Project Management Council-Space Transportation System (PMC-STS), the decision-making body in all launch vehicle projects and programmes
• He is the Chairman of the National Level Human Rated Certification Board (HRCB) for Gaganyaan, India’s planned human spaceflight mission.
• During his two-year tenure as ISRO chief, he will also be the Chairman of the Space Commission.
• Speaking to NDTV from Thiruvananthapuram, the newly appointed ISRO chief said, “We have a clear roadmap for India and I hope to take ISRO to greater heights as we have great talent.”

New Delhi:

The Centre has appointed V Narayanan as the new chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation and secretary, Department of Space. Mr Narayanan will take over from S Somanath, the current head of the organisation, on January 14.

In a notification on Tuesday, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet said Mr Narayanan, who is the head of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), Valiamala, will have a tenure of two years. 

Mr Narayanan is a distinguished scientist (APEX Scale) and seniormost director in ISRO. The Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, which he heads, is engaged in the development of liquid, semi cryogenic and cryogenic propulsion stages for launch vehicles, chemical and electric propulsion systems for satellites, control systems for launch vehicles, and transducers development for space systems health monitoring. 

He is also the chairman of the Project Management Council-Space Transportation System (PMC-STS), the decision-making body in all launch vehicle projects and programmes, and the chairman of the National Level Human Rated Certification Board (HRCB) for Gaganyaan, India’s planned human spaceflight mission. 

Having studied in Tamil medium schools, the new ISRO chief completed his M Tech in Cryogenic Engineering and PhD in Aerospace Engineering from IIT, Kharagpur, where he was awarded a Silver Medal for achieving the first rank in the M Tech programme. The rocket and spacecraft propulsion expert joined ISRO in 1984 and rose through the ranks to become the director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre in 2018.

S Somanath took over as the ISRO chief on January 2022 and it was under him that India became the first country in the world to land a rover in the south pole region of the Moon. It also joined an elite club of countries to achieve a soft landing on the Moon, after the US, the former Soviet Union, and China.

Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh):

ISRO is gearing up to achieve a significant milestone with a Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle mission scheduled in January set to become the 100th launch from the Sriharikota spaceport, a top official said.

The 99th launch from Sriharikota was Monday’s PSLV-C60 mission which successfully placed two spacecraft for conducting the Space Docking Experiment in a circular orbit, ISRO Chairman S Somanath said.

“So, all of you have seen the majestic lift-off and the launch of the SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) rocket, and for us, this is the 99th launch of any vehicle from Satish Dhawan Space Centre so, that is also a very important number. So, we are going for the 100th launch at the beginning of the next year”, he said.

Mr Somanath, also the Secretary, Department of Space, was talking to reporters after the PSLV-C60 mission successfully placed the Space Docking Experiment spacecraft A and B in a circular orbit.

On future launches planned by ISRO, Somanath said, “In 2025, we will have many missions to start with the GSLV launching the (navigation satellite) NVS-02 in the month of January.” ISRO successfully placed a navigation satellite onboard the GSLV-F12/NVS-01 rocket in May 2023. This GSLV rocket successfully deployed the NVS-01 navigation satellite, weighing about 2,232 kg into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

The NVS-01 was the first of the second-generation satellites envisaged for the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) services.

On Monday’s PSLV-C60 mission, Mr Somanath expressed hope that many more Space Docking Experiments would be taken up by the scientists in the coming days.

“It is really an important mission with (India’s) space sector reforms and expansion of space activities. There will be many more SpaDeX varieties including complex missions of docking systems in the coming days,” he said.

Meanwhile, referring to the rescheduling of the PSLV-C60 rocket from the earlier planned 9.58 pm to 10 pm on December 30, Mr Somanath said, scientists do a conjunction study to check whether a satellite going to an orbit comes very close to another satellite while travelling in the same orbit.

“If you find there is any close proximity (between satellites), then we have to move the current satellite a little bit. Either, we delay it (the launch) or make it early, so that this proximity condition does not occur,” he said.

Scientists undertook time to fix the launch for the lift-off and decide on the best time which gives the maximum distance to be away from the other satellite in the orbit, he added. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

India’s space program is set to achieve another milestone with the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) tomorrow 30 at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota. In its 62nd Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) mission, ISRO will attempt the docking and undocking of two satellites in orbit, a feat mastered only by Russia, the United States, and China.

This landmark mission, described as a “bold step” by ISRO Chairman Dr S Somanath, will use Indigenous technology

“When you have multiple objects in space that need to be brought together for a specific purpose, a mechanism called docking is required. Docking is the process by which two space objects come together and connect. This can be done using various approaches: soft mechanisms, hard mechanisms, or pressurised compartments for human transfer. For example, on the International Space Station, crew modules dock at the station, equalise pressure, and transfer people,” Dr Somanath told NDTV.

This capability is central to future ambitions, including India’s Bharatiya Antariksha Station (a proposed Indian space station), human spaceflight programs, and lunar sample return missions such as Chandrayaan-4.

During docking, there’s a “target” object and a “chaser” object. The chaser follows the target, comes into proximity, and establishes a connection.

“In the SpaDeX, we aim to replicate the technology needed for this process. First, there’s a mechanism to capture the object, pull it closer, and rigidise the connection. Second, sensors identify the target and the chaser and coordinate their movements to ensure precise, controlled docking without causing damage,” Dr Somanath said.

The SpaDeX mission will rely entirely on ‘swadeshi’ or Indigenous technology. ISRO has even patented its unique docking mechanism, a scaled-down version designed to fit the current mission’s objectives. SpaDeX will launch two small satellites aboard a PSLV rocket weighing 229 tons. These satellites will autonomously execute docking and undocking manoeuvres at an altitude of 475 kilometres.

India will be the fourth country, after Russia, the US, and China, to attempt this challenging process in low-Earth orbit.

“The SpaDeX mission demonstrates more than docking. Post-docking, the satellites can be separated to carry out independent tasks, such as remote sensing or scientific experiments. Additionally, the PSLV launch will include a payload experimental orbital module (POEM) to enable startups and researchers to test new technologies in space,” Dr Somanath told NDTV.

“Docking and undocking capabilities place India in an elite group of spacefaring nations. This experiment lays the groundwork for proximity operations like satellite repair, refuelling, debris removal, and more. SpaDex is an exciting step forward for ISRO, showcasing the team’s perseverance and expertise in pushing technological boundaries,” he added.

The SpaDeX mission is a stepping stone for Chandrayaan-4, but more advanced tests will be required. The current mission focuses on circular orbits, whereas lunar docking will occur in elliptical orbits under different conditions. The lessons from SpaDeX will also feed into India’s long-term goals of creating a self-sustaining space ecosystem, including human space exploration.

The docking process involves aligning two satellites moving at speeds of 7,800 meters per second. Despite their high velocity, the relative motion between them must be reduced to just centimetres or millimetres per second to ensure a safe connection. “The satellites’ approach velocity must be less than one centimetre per second to avoid collisions,” explained Dr Somanath.

The ISRO chief also explained the challenges of achieving such precision in the vacuum of space: “On Earth, we don’t have a zero-gravity environment to replicate the conditions of space, making ground testing extraordinarily difficult. This required us to develop innovative hardware and robotic test setups.”

With the SpaDeX mission, India aims to join the exclusive club of nations capable of space docking. “The success of this mission will position India as a major spacefaring nation, not just in launching satellites but in conducting complex space operations,” Dr Somanath remarked. 

New Delhi:

India has set its sights on an ambitious space program, aiming to land an astronaut on the moon by 2040, according to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman Dr S Somanath. 

This milestone announcement follows a year of remarkable achievements and unprecedented developments in India’s space sector. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has approved a record Rs 31,000 crore funding for ISRO and laid out a long-term vision for the country’s space endeavours, extending over the next 15 years.

“I believe that this year has been a very splendid year for us in terms of the missions that we accomplished and also the future roadmap that we have set for ourselves based on the vision of the Prime Minister. For the very first time in the history of the space programme, we have a vision for the next 25 years announced,” ISRO chief S Somanath told NDTV in an exclusive interview. 

As part of this roadmap, India plans to establish its own space station, the Bhartiya Antariksha Station, by 2035. A precursor to this will be the launch of a space station module in 2028, setting the stage for its full operational deployment by 2035. The culmination of this vision is the planned landing of an Indian astronaut on the moon by 2040.

“When we celebrate the 100th year of our independence, an Indian flag will be flying on the moon with our person going, putting it back, and returning safely. That is targeted in 2040,” Dr Somanath told NDTV. 

Before this, a series of preparatory missions will be conducted, including Chandrayaan-4, a lunar sample return mission, which has already been approved.

The development of a reusable, greener, and modular rocket capable of supporting human spaceflight and lunar missions has been cleared. This future-ready launch vehicle is critical for meeting India’s expanded payload requirements.

The space program’s benefits extend beyond scientific achievements. 

Over 250 space startups are driving innovation and fueling India’s space sector. Among these, Agnikul Cosmos made headlines by launching a liquid-propelled sub-orbital rocket. For every rupee spent on space, India has reportedly received a return of Rs 2.52. 

“An exploration mission for Venus has also been cleared,” Dr Somanath added. 

Bengaluru:

ISRO Chairman S Somanath on Wednesday highlighted the need to manufacture car sensors domestically instead of relying on imports.

Speaking at a session on space technology and defence during the Bengaluru Tech Summit, which also saw the launch of the Draft Karnataka Space Tech Policy, Mr Somanath emphasised the importance of cost-effective production.

He pointed out that while India invests significantly in producing rocket sensors, the high production cost of car sensors makes domestic manufacturing less viable.

“For car sensors, viability is achievable only if production costs are low and manufacturing is scaled up,” he said.

Somanath called for greater industry collaboration to address this challenge and noted that policy interventions like those unveiled at the summit could provide a solution.

He praised the 2020 space sector reforms and the Space Policy of 2023 for creating an ecosystem conducive to private sector growth.

“There is a lot of interest in the sector. I hear from many aspiring to build the next SpaceX in India,” he added.

Highlighting progress, Mr Somanath mentioned that five companies are currently building satellites, with many enhancing their capacity to develop subsystems for rockets and satellites. However, he identified a lack of major players and insufficient investment in upstream space capabilities as key challenges.

“To address this, we are focusing on developing downstream capabilities, which can generate demand and eventually attract upstream investments. I believe this model will work well for the nation,” he explained.

Mr Somanath also stressed the role of technology transfer in enabling private sector participation, saying, “Many technologies developed within ISRO are now accessible to industries for further development into products, services, or software.” The session featured other notable speakers, including B K Das, Director General of the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO), and Anne Neuberger, Deputy National Security Advisor of the United States.

Priyank Kharge, Karnataka’s Minister for IT, Biotechnology, Science and Technology, and Ekroop Caur, Secretary to the Government, Department of Electronics, IT, and Biotechnology, also participated.

Kharge stated that the draft policy envisions Karnataka capturing 50 per cent of the national space market and establishing itself as a global hub for space technologies. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

In an ambitious push to space, the Union Cabinet has approved a groundbreaking suite of space missions amounting to Rs 31,772 crores. The missions pave the roadmap for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) till almost 2040.

The announcement, made during the first hundred days of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term, includes several high-profile projects, including Chandrayaan-4, a mission to Venus, and enhancements to the Gaganyaan project.

ISRO Chairman Dr S Somanath expressed his enthusiasm for the approved initiatives, stating, “India’s ambitious space vision and roadmap have now been given the wings to fly high,” he said in an exclusive chat with NDTV.

The ‘fabulous four’ approvals are poised to elevate India’s status in the global space arena and address practical applications of space technology for everyday life. “At ISRO we will ensure that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promising planetary vision to rocket India to be a developed nation or Viksit Bharat by 2047 does not falter,” Mr Somnath said.

Among the most notable projects is ‘Chandrayaan-4’, which has been allocated Rs 2,104 crores. This mission aims to collect samples from the Moon’s Shiv-Shakti area, making it a crucial precursor to India’s goal of landing humans on the Moon by 2040. Dr Somanath highlighted the mission’s importance, emphasizing its potential to enrich India’s scientific understanding of lunar geology.

“Chandrayaan-3 demonstrated it is possible for us to soft land at a location (on the moon) and then the scientific experiments did very well. Next step is to go and come back safely, and to do that we need to develop many technologies. All this is part of Chandrayaan-4. There will also be scientific missions like sample collection,” Mr Somanath says.

“If India go to moon, we will bring something new. There are many problems on bringing something back from the moon. You need to drill and collect it from different places. Then there is a robotic activity of taking the sample and storing it in a container. Then the container needs to transferred from that place to a lander which will come take off from the Moon. This process is robotic, and can go wrong,” he adds, highlighting the complexities of the mission.

Additionally, a mission to explore Venus has also received approval, further showcasing ISRO’s commitment to planetary science. The establishment of the ‘Bhartiya Antariksha Station’, a homegrown space station, alongside the development of a new mega rocket, indicates a strong commitment to enhancing India’s capabilities in human spaceflight and deep space exploration.

Dr Somanath assured the public that while ISRO aims for the stars, it remains grounded in addressing the needs of everyday citizens: “We will not forget the farmer or fisherman while exploring the solar system.” He underscored that the benefits of space technology must touch every Indian’s life, reinforcing the idea that ISRO’s endeavors are not only about exploration but also about improving life on Earth.

The ambitious roadmap set forth by the Union Cabinet signals a new era for Indian space exploration, reflecting a determination to solidify India’s position as a leading player in the global space community. With these bold initiatives, ISRO is preparing to propel India into a higher orbit.

Far from delaying the Gagnyaan mission, the Indo-US Axiom-4 mission will actually help ISRO carry out the landmark flight and augment its capabilities, the space agency’s Chairman, Dr S Somanath, has told NDTV.

In an exclusive conversation on Tuesday, the ISRO chief also spoke about how Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla going to the International Space Station (ISS) in the middle or end of next year as part of the Axiom-4 mission will boost India’s understanding of human spaceflight.

Under the Gaganyaan mission, India plans to send humans to an orbit of 400 km above Earth’s surface for at least one day and bring them back

“Both have no connection in terms of the progress of the work. The progress on Gaganyaan is very good. Of course, there have been some delays… that is not connected with the mission to ISS, it is only in terms of qualification of certain systems that we have yet to complete. I believe that the ISS mission will only add value to what we are doing in Gaganyaan because we are only in the process of development of the first crew module and service module,” Dr Somanath emphasised.

“It is also about the protocols associated with sending humans to space, with which we have no experience. So we bank on the training of these people (French, Russian and American experts). India’s Gaganyatris have already undergone training under the Russian model and when they train in the US, it will add value to the process we have conceived. There are many things we need to plan and do – their preparation, training, health monitoring and even the features of the crew module. So there won’t be a delay, there will be value addition, it will be an augmenting factor,” he added.

India has picked four candidates for the Gaganyaan mission. Of these, Group Captain Shukla is India’s main astronaut for the Axiom-4 mission and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair will be the backup astronaut. Incidentally, the Axiom-4 mission is already gathering an Indian, likeable moniker – ‘Mission Akash Ganga’.  

“PM Narendra Modi has announced the continuation of Gaganyaan along with the building of a space station and going to the Moon. That means we need to have a pool of astronauts of Gaganyatris to continue this process. They need to develop the knowledge, the skill, become the trainer of trainers, and also help us build the architecture or systems based on their experience. Currently, we are banking on the only astronaut we had, Rakesh Sharma, and them,” the ISRO chief said. 

‘At The Right Time’

To a question on whether it would be right to say that India has been late in getting to human spaceflight but is leapfrogging, Dr Somanath stressed that the country is not late but is doing things at an appropriate time.

“When the nation reached a certain threshold of technology or capability, then we decided to go into this. It’s not something we need to do urgently. Human spaceflight is a crucial capability that we have to develop at some point in time in the history of our space programme and the time has now come for it to be done. We are not delayed in my opinion, this is the right time… We are working with other nations on this, because this is connected to humanity, it is not about technological prowess alone,” he said.