‘Gaganyaan’ not to be affected by COVID pandemic
CANARA XTRA
New Delhi: The COVID pandemic will not affect India’s first human space mission “Gaganyaan.”
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today said that the launch of India’s first human space mission “Gaganyaan” will not be affected by COVID pandemic and preparation are on in the right direction.
Briefing about the important achievements of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Space over the last one year and some of the important missions planned for the future, Dr Jitendra Singh said that though due to COVID-19 pandemic, the training of four Indian astronauts in Russia had to be halted, the opinion of Chairman ISRO and the scientific team is that there is a “cushion” in the training programme and launch deadline.The training of astronauts has now been resumedand the launch is scheduled to take place as planned, before the 75th anniversary of India’s independence in 2022, he said.
Elaborating on the cabinet decision to encourage private participation in ISRO activities, Dr Jitendra Singh said that a regulatory body called “Indian National Space Promotion & Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe)” would be established which would help providing a level playing field to private players and encourage their participation.
“Besides enhancing the capacity and resources of our space missions, increased participation of private players will also discourage the brain drain of talented space scientists and experts who were otherwise moving out of India in search of a break,” Dr Jitendra Singh said.
On Chandrayaan-3, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the lunar mission is planned for launch next year.
“The mission will involve a lander, rover and a propulsion system to carry the modules to move will not have orbiter as the previous orbiter is fully operational,” he added.
