ISRO chief says Gaganyaan mission will be conducted carefully to avoid Boeing Starliner-like incident: report

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman S. Somanath reportedly stressed the need for caution with Gaganyaan, India's first manned space mission, even though it is expected to be ready for launch by the end of the year. Addressing a press conference, Somanath pointed to the problems facing NASA's Boeing Starliner spacecraft and warned of potential risks. The Starliner, which launched on June 5 with astronauts on board, was scheduled to return on September 7, but the astronauts were stranded due to technical issues. NASA astronauts Sunitha Williams and Butch Wilmore will now return in February 2024 aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon.

Exploring new frontiers: Venus mission

According to a Business Standard report, ISRO's ambitious Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) was also highlighted by Somanath as a key project approved by the Union Cabinet. With a budget of Rs 1,236 crore, this mission is scheduled to launch in March 2028.

Since the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), which is currently under development, will take seven years to complete, the Mark-3 (LVM3) launch vehicle will be used for the Venus mission instead.

Challenges of Venus exploration

Despite being Earth's closest neighbour, Venus poses greater challenges than Mars due to its extreme atmospheric conditions. S. Somanath told the publication that Venus' atmosphere is 100 times more pressurised than Earth's, making it a more complex target despite its proximity. Russia, China and Japan are also planning missions to Venus by 2030, making India's mission a major milestone in the space exploration race.

Growing interest in space startups

The ISRO Chairman also expressed his excitement over the growing interest in India's space sector, especially the contributions from startups. Somanath acknowledged the impressive developments made by private companies in satellite technology and noted a major shift in the space landscape.