Chandrayaan-2: We will learn a lot about the moon, says K. Sivan

What have been the lessons from Chandrayaan-2, for ISRO and for you personally?

There is nothing personal about ISRO; no individual benefits. Everything done and learnt here is towards a common goal. We have learnt a lot from this mission. We have developed and tested new technology. And now, we will learn a lot more about the moon.

An early setback, when you had to call off the launch on July 15, must also have been a lesson in some way.

You must not confuse the launch of GSLV Mk-III with the Chandrayaan-2 mission. They are two independent sciences. There was a technical issue with the launch vehicle. Launch vehicles have such issues routinely. The complexity of the lunar probe and the technology developed to land it on the moon are another matter altogether.

There is renewed interest in the moon, with the US even planning to send humans to stay there. How do you imagine human habitation on the moon?

Right now, the world is only beginning to imagine extraterrestrial habitations. There are talks of building a lunar outpost and even a moon village. I believe these will happen some day, because so far whatever humans have imagined and worked towards, they have accomplished. This will however require a lot of planning and developing of new technology. It will happen for sure. When it will happen I cannot say right now.

Please elaborate on ISRO’s plans for exploring Venus.

It is next on the list, though first we will have the solar probe, Aditya. The plans for Venus will be announced when they are ready.

How do you de-stress?

I do not think too far ahead. I focus on the work in hand. Only once that task is over do I move on to the next.