Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), S Somanath, revealed that the organisation is currently immersed in a multitude of exploration missions, including ventures to Mars, Venus, and the Moon. Additionally, ISRO is actively preparing for its maiden human spaceflight program.
During a press conference on Sunday, Somanath shared that ISRO has also devised plans to launch missions aimed at studying Earth's climate and weather conditions. These ambitious projects encompass a wide range of scientific missions, including the development of communication and remote sensing satellites.
Highlighting the imminent Gaganyaan program, Somanath disclosed that the first test flight, TV-D1, is scheduled for October 21. This mission marks a significant milestone in India's space exploration journey.
Expanding on the upcoming missions, Somanath stated, "We have exploration missions. We have plans to go to Mars, Venus, and revisit the Moon. We also have programs dedicated to studying Earth's climate and weather." He emphasized that while these exploration missions are underway, the scientists at ISRO remain committed to their regular missions, such as satellite launches for communication and remote sensing. Furthermore, scientific missions focusing on aeronomy, thermal imaging, and climate change impact assessment are among the initiatives in the pipeline.
When asked about the status of the Vikram lander from the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft, which successfully made a soft-landing on the Moon's surface on August 23, Somanath revealed that the lander had performed exceptionally well during its programmed lunar day, equivalent to 14 Earth days. He confirmed that the lander is currently dormant on the Moon, stating, "It is happily sleeping on the Moon. It has done its job very well. Maybe if it wishes to wake up, let it wake up. Until then, we will wait."
ISRO had previously attempted to re-establish communication with the rover Pragyan and the lander Vikram after they were put into sleep mode in September due to the onset of night on the Moon. Unfortunately, no signals have been received yet, but the organization remains determined to continue its efforts to establish contact.
Following the historic landing, the lander Vikram and the rover Pragyan conducted various tasks on the lunar surface, including the detection of sulfur and recording relative temperatures.
Addressing ISRO's maiden mission to study the Sun, Somanath reassured that the spacecraft, Aditya-L1, is in excellent health and on a 110-day journey to the Lagrange point L1. The spacecraft is expected to reach its destination by mid-January. Somanath explained that the journey is complex, requiring an additional 70-75 days to reach the desired point. Once there, adjustments will be made to position the spacecraft into the Halo orbit, after which scientific data streaming will commence.
Aditya-L1, launched on September 2, is India's first space-based observatory dedicated to studying the Sun from a halo orbit around the Sun-Earth Lagrangian point L1, located approximately 1.5 million km from Earth.
In addition to discussing ISRO's missions, Somanath paid tribute to the renowned agricultural scientist M S Swaminathan, who passed away on September 28. Recognizing Swaminathan's contribution as the driving force behind India's Green Revolution, Somanath expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to honor Swaminathan's legacy, which continues to inspire young people across the country to pursue careers in science and technology.
As ISRO forges ahead with its diverse exploration missions and scientific endeavors, India remains at the forefront of space exploration, solidifying its position as a leading player in the global space community.