Sneak Peek Into ISRO's Future: 'Self-Eating Rockets' And Vanishing Satellites
India's space agency ISRO is eyeing tech of the future. With self-eating rockets and satellites that vanish on their own, ISRO has initiated 46 projects focused on future-ready technology.
The agency is increasingly moving away from day-to-day launches that it hopes private enterprises would be able to undertake in the near future, akin to how NASA operates now.
46 projects in ISRO's pipeline
The 46 projects in question will help India prepare for future space missions in the face of global developments in space. The next phase of international politics is being dubbed "Space Wars" wherein countries like the United States and China are attempting to gain space superiority.
The technologies are being developed keeping in mind India's space requirements over the next four to five decades, The Times of India reported.
Also read:?ISRO Scientists Discover Exoplanet 1.4 Times Bigger Than Jupiter
Besides self-eating rockets and self-vanishing satellites, ISRO is also researching self-healing materials, humanoid robotics, space-based solar power, smart satellites, space vehicles, and artificial intelligence's applications in space among many things.
The initiative is led by ISRO under the Directorate of Technology Development and Innovation (DTDI) wing whose focus is innovative future-ready technologies.
Tackling space debris
In conversation with TOI, ISRO Chairman K. Sivan said that with self-eating rockets, debris that is dropped into the ocean would be effectively eliminated, making rockets environment friendly and also free from the issue of debris in space.
Similarly, self-vanishing satellites would essentially destroy themselves through a kill switch, leaving behind no debris.
Also read:?ISRO Chief Says India Will Allow Private Companies To Invest In Space Sector
What do you think about India's race to the future, especially given the large gap that remains to be filled in comparison to countries like US and China? Let us know in the comments below.
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Citation
Kumar, C. (2021, November 24). Self-eating rockets, self-vanishing sats, make-in-space: Isro eyes futuristic tech. The Times of India.?
