ISRO's V Narayanan Highlights Commitment to National Security and Ambitious Space Missions
ISRO's Role in National Security
Bhubaneswar: V Narayanan, the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), emphasized the agency's dedication to safeguarding the nation's citizens and securing its borders, both on land and at sea.
He stated, "ISRO operates at least 56 satellites, with a significant number dedicated to the nation's safety and security needs."
Narayanan elaborated that ISRO's initiatives are designed to leverage advanced space technology for the benefit of the general populace across various sectors, including telecommunications, tele-education, disaster management, weather forecasting, resource management, and ensuring food and water security.
"India boasts a coastline of approximately 11,500 kilometers, necessitating vigilant monitoring of these areas as well as border regions. We are actively engaged in multiple applications to address these needs. Therefore, it is not appropriate to limit inquiries to ISRO's specific role in security; we are undertaking all necessary actions," he remarked in response to a question regarding ISRO's involvement in Operation Sindoor.
He reiterated that ISRO, in collaboration with other agencies, is committed to ensuring the safety of citizens, stating, "We are doing everything possible. Please refrain from asking overly specific questions," during a visit to the Central Tool Room and Training Centre (CTTC) in Bhubaneswar.
On the topic of India's space exploration efforts, Narayanan revealed that ISRO is currently developing the Chandrayaan-4 mission, which aims to collect lunar samples and return them to Earth. This mission will enhance our understanding of lunar geology and support future space endeavors.
He also mentioned that ISRO is partnering with Japan for the Chandrayaan-5 mission, which is expected to be more ambitious than its predecessors. The total launch weight for Chandrayaan-5 is projected to be 6,400 kg, a significant increase from the 5,000 kg of Chandrayaan-3.
This mission will feature an upgraded rover weighing 350 kg, compared to the previous rover's 25 kg. The mission duration is set to extend from 14 days to an impressive 100 days, allowing for comprehensive exploration of the lunar surface.
Additionally, Narayanan announced that ISRO is progressing with the Gaganyaan mission, with the first uncrewed launch planned for later this year, followed by two crewed missions scheduled for the first quarter of 2027. There are also plans for two collaborative missions with NASA.