The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the NVS-2 navigation satellite on Wednesday morning using the GSLV rocket from Sriharikota. This historic launch marked ISRO’s 100th mission, a significant milestone for India’s space agency.
Chairman V. Narayanan expressed his joy over this achievement and revealed ambitious plans for the next five years. He stated that while it took ISRO 46 years to complete 100 missions, the agency aims to achieve its next 100 missions within the next five years.
ISRO’s Future Roadmap: 200 Missions in Five Years
During his address, Chairman Narayanan emphasized that launching 100 missions in the next five years is an achievable goal. He highlighted the agency’s progress from transporting rocket components on bicycles and bullock carts to reaching the Moon. Today, ranks among the world’s leading space agencies and has also ventured into commercial launches for foreign clients.
Six Generations of Launch Vehicles
Narayanan reflected on ISRO’s journey, stating that the organization has developed six generations of launch vehicles. The first generation was developed in 1979 under the guidance of Prof. Satish Dhawan, with former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam serving as the project director.
Over the past 46 years, ISRO has placed 548 satellites into orbit, including 120 tons of payload and 433 foreign satellites weighing a total of 23 tons.
Upcoming Missions: NASA Collaboration and NISAR Launch
Following the success of the NVS-2 satellite launch, Narayanan discussed ISRO’s upcoming missions. He announced that ISRO, in collaboration with NASA, is preparing to launch the NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite in the coming months.
This joint mission includes two radars: an L-band radar developed by ISRO and an S-band radar developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The satellite has been integrated and tested at the UR Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru and is now being prepared for launch from Sriharikota.
Expanding India’s Navigation Satellite Network
Narayanan emphasized the need for India to expand its navigation satellite network. Currently, four navigation satellites are operational, and the recent NVS-2 launch marks the fifth. Received approval for three additional satellites, with plans to launch one within the next five to six months.
Next-Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) and Space Station Goals
ISRO has also received approval from the central government to develop the Next-Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV). This advanced rocket system will play a crucial role in establishing and operating India’s own space station, as well as enabling human missions to the Moon by 2040.
The NGLV is expected to be 1.5 times more cost-effective than the current LVM3 rocket while offering three times the payload capacity and reusability features.
Gaganyaan Mission and New Launch Pads
Narayanan provided updates on the Gaganyaan program, India’s first human spaceflight mission. He stated that ISRO is making significant progress on the uncrewed G1 mission, with further experiments scheduled for this year.
Additionally, setting up a new launch pad in Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu, approximately 600 km from Chennai. Construction is currently underway, and once completed within the next two years, it will enable regular launches.
Furthermore, the government has approved the construction of a third launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This project, costing ₹3,985 crore, will support the launch infrastructure needed for ISRO’s Next-Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV).
Conclusion
With the successful launch of NVS-2 and ambitious plans for the future, ISRO is poised for a transformative decade. The space agency’s goals include enhancing India’s navigation capabilities, expanding commercial satellite launches, and laying the foundation for future space exploration missions, including a potential Moon landing by Indian astronauts.
Stay tuned for more updates on ISRO’s upcoming space missions.
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