Manned mission not a priority: ISRO chief

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BHUBANESWAR: The much-publicized manned space mission is not a priority for Indian Space Research Organization (Isro), Isro chairman AS Kiran Kumar said here on Saturday.

"Right now, it (manned mission) is not a priority at all. Our priority is to build capacity for new (satellite) launches," Kumar said while interacting with reporters on the side-lines of convocation of KIIT University.

The Isro chief, who is also the secretary, department of space, said the agency is planning to increase the frequency of new satellite launches to 10 to 12 per year. From December to March, there would be at least one launch every month, he said.

Kumar said it would be a difficult task to give any time line for human spaceflight programme in the country. But it is very much part of the Isro's future programmes. The agency is currently in the stage of "critical technology development" for the human spaceflight mission, he said.

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"The crew module re-entry exercise was done last year. Activities such as development of environment control system, maintenance of oxygen and carbon dioxide, contingencies such as extricating the astronauts in case such a need arises are on. These are critical technology requirement activities in the research and development, he said.

The Isro chairman said the future of the manned programme would depend on government clearance for it. "Of course, the government has to give its clearance. Lots of investment is required for it," he said.

Kumar said space tourism as a concept is catching up fast globally. Just like the sequence of development in shipping industry and aircraft industry, space tourism and space adventure would be natural development process in the future space technology. One of the key Isro activities would be to help industries in the country build up the capacity for such future, he said.
 

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