ISRO Sets Ambitious Goal of 100 Missions in Five Years: Chairman Narayanan
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Synopsis
ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan announced that the agency plans to launch 100 missions within the next five years, following the successful 100th liftoff of the GSLV rocket. This ambitious goal comes as India continues to make significant strides in space exploration.
Key Takeaways
- ISRO aims for 100 missions in five years.
- 100th GSLV rocket launched successfully.
- NVS-02 satellite is part of NavIC system.
- Kulasekarapattinam launch pad under construction.
- Chandrayaan 3 and 4 slated for launch this year.
New Delhi, Jan 29 (NationPress) On Wednesday, India celebrated a remarkable achievement with the successful launch of its 100th GSLV rocket. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan announced that the national space agency is determined to execute 100 missions over the next five years.
The 100th GSLV rocket was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota this morning.
The GSLV-F15 rocket took off at 6:23 a.m., delivering the NVS-02 navigation satellite into orbit, marking yet another success in India’s space exploration journey.
This marked the 100th launch of the GSLV rocket series from Sriharikota.
The first significant rocket to launch from Sriharikota was the Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV), which lifted off on August 10, 1979.
“Today we achieved a historical milestone,” Narayanan stated after the launch.
“The 100th launch of ISRO has been accomplished thanks to the dedication and collaboration of the ISRO team,” he added.
Although it took 46 years to reach this milestone, the Chairman expressed optimism: “In the coming five years, ISRO aims to launch 100 missions.”
The GSLV-F15 payload fairing was made of metal, measuring 3.4 meters in diameter, and successfully positioned the NVS-02 satellite in a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.
The NVS-02 is part of the second generation of satellites designed for the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system, which is India’s proprietary navigation system.
This is the fifth satellite in the NVS-02 series, with four currently operational.
“We have received approval for three more satellites,” stated the ISRO Chairman.
Additionally, ISRO has gained approvals for various projects, including Chandrayaan 3 and 4, set for launch this year.
Narayanan highlighted that “numerous missions are scheduled for this year.”
He also mentioned the new Kulasekarapattinam launch pad, which is being constructed in the coastal village of Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu. This spaceport will be used to launch small satellites, including microsatellites and nanosatellites.
“All facilities at the Kulasekarapattinam launch pad will be completed within two years. After that, we expect to launch all types of missions from there,” Narayanan elaborated.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Jitendra Singh praised ISRO’s historic achievement on social media, stating that the national space agency “once again made India proud.”
“Congratulations @isro for reaching the landmark milestone of #100thLaunch from #Sriharikota. It’s an honor to be part of the Department of Space at this historic moment,” Singh remarked.
“From modest beginnings with Vikram Sarabhai, Satish Dhawan, and a few others, it has been an incredible journey,” he added.
The Minister noted that the country’s space sector has experienced a “quantum leap” after PM Narendra Modi “unlocked” the space industry, instilling confidence that “the sky is not the limit.”
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari referred to the achievement as “a giant leap for India in space exploration.”
“This #100thlaunch from Sriharikota, the 17th flight of GSLV, and the 11th with an Indigenous Cryogenic Stage, enhances India’s NavIC navigation system, illustrating ISRO's legacy of innovation and excellence in space technology,” he remarked.
