Prime Minister Narendra Modi while delivering his fifth Independence Day speech, a crucial one before Lok Sabha elections, 2019 highlighted some important projects and missions that India will embark upon in the coming years.
Speaking from the ramparts of Red Fort, PM Modi took this event as an opportunity to emphasize the current government¡¯s achievements and problem of lack of jobs and rising violence in the country.
PM Modi waves as he leaves after addressing the nation during Independence Day celebrations at the historic Red Fort in Delhi, August 15, 2018. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi
Modi announced a plan to take the ¡°Indian tricolour to space" in a manned mission that would make India the fourth nation to launch one, after the United States, Russia and China. Rakesh Sharma, a former Indian Air Force Pilot is the only Indian currently, to have travelled in space. A National Defence Academy alumnus, Sharma travelled to space aboard a Russian, Soyuz T-11 on April 02, 1984.
Modi praised Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) efforts in making ground-breaking development in this field. Hearing this, an exhilarated, ISRO Chairman, K Sivan, told TOI, "It came as a surprise to us, I was not expecting this but it is a great gift to ISRO and we are confident of sending Indians to space in the next four years, although it is a tight schedule."
While the technology related to this project, like the crew module, environmental control and life support system have all been developed, India now needs to begin the process of identifying adept human resource and set up a project team.
Photo: Reuters/Representational Image
To this, Sivan told the media, ¡°As the PM said, India¡¯s first Gagannaut could be a woman. Infact, women nowadays are very competitive and are ready to take up any challenge. We will be glad to train a woman to send her to space on board the Gaganyaan.¡±
"We hope the budget for the mission would not exceed Rs 10,000 crore." He said, "An advanced version of GSLV MK III (Isro's fat boy with over 4-tonne payload capability) will be used for the mission." A human mission to space involves utmost care that requires continuous oxygen supply, controlled pressure, environment system, food supply, human waste discharge system and crew protection system that involves the escape capsule and rigorous astronaut training.
Physical ailments can reduce the chances of an astronaut travelling to space. Hence, selection of a woman ¡®Gagannaut¡¯ will require a series of rounds before the final choice can be made. Since 1984, India has not been able to send any human to space. If this project is implemented, India¡¯s growth story will see a new light of the day.