ANS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled an ambitious vision for India’s space program, setting significant milestones for the nation’s space exploration efforts.
Following the notable successes of Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya L1, Prime Minister Modi issued directives to the concerned officials to undertake the construction of an Indian Space Station by 2035 and to achieve the historic feat of sending the first Indian astronaut to the Moon by 2040.
To realize these formidable objectives, the Department of Space has been entrusted with the task of devising a comprehensive roadmap encompassing a range of critical missions and technological advancements. This strategic plan will include Chandrayaan missions, the development of Next-Generation Launch Vehicles (NGLV), the construction of launch pads, and the creation of human-centric laboratories and technologies.
Notably, India’s maiden human space mission, the Gaganyaan Mission, was a central topic of discussion during the summit. The Department of Space provided insights into the mission, which involves the development of human-rated launch vehicle technologies.
As part of a series of 20 major tests, the roadmap includes three uncrewed Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3) missions. The first test flight of the Crew Escape System Test Vehicle is scheduled for October 21, 2023, with the mission’s full launch anticipated in 2025.
The successful completion of the Gaganyaan Mission will elevate India to the esteemed rank of the fourth nation capable of launching humans into space, joining the ranks of the US, Russia, and China.
The mission involves the deployment of a fully autonomous 5.3-ton spacecraft capable of carrying three astronauts into orbit and safely returning them to Earth following a seven-day mission.
Prime Minister Modi also encouraged Indian scientists to explore interplanetary projects, citing the Venus Orbiter and Mars Lander as potential avenues for exploration. He expressed unwavering faith in India’s capability and dedication to space exploration.
India has achieved notable milestones in space exploration, including the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 near the Moon’s south pole in August. The mission involved deploying the Pragyan rover and conducting various experiments.
Furthermore, the Indian space agency conducted successful hop tests of the Vikram lander, a crucial step in advancing its capabilities in space exploration. The Vikram lander is currently stationed at the Shiv Shakti Point, awaiting its next mission.
Prime Minister Modi’s visionary goals reflect India’s commitment to space exploration and its aspiration to make significant contributions to scientific discovery beyond Earth’s boundaries.