The Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Dr S Somanath, recently expressed the agency’s readiness to send Prime Minister Narendra Modi to space, highlighting the potential milestone as a source of national pride. In an interview with NDTV, Dr Somanath articulated the agency’s cautious approach, emphasizing the critical juncture of the Gaganyaan Mission and the need for it to be fully prepared.
Speaking to NDTV, Dr Somanath reiterated that it would be a moment of great pride for the entire nation to confidently send a statesman like Narendra Modi to space. However, he underscored the importance of the Gaganyaan Mission being sufficiently advanced and qualified before such a significant undertaking could materialize.
The ISRO Chairman noted the current state of affairs at the agency, describing it as a “critical juncture” with the Gaganyaan Mission this year. He mentioned that ISRO had three important missions scheduled and emphasized the need for the Gaganyaan Mission to be “ready, proven, and qualified enough” before considering the possibility of sending the Prime Minister to space.
In the context of the Gaganyaan Mission, Dr Somanath regarded the selection of test pilots for the mission as a pivotal step. He highlighted the recent selection of Prashanth Nair, Angad Prathap, Ajit Krishnan, and Shubhanshu Shukla as the four test pilots of the Indian Air Force for the mission, signifying the progress toward launching a crew of up to three members into a Low Earth Orbit as part of the human space flight mission.
Dr Somanath’s comments reflect the cautious and methodical approach that ISRO is adopting toward space exploration, underlining the significance of ensuring the readiness and qualifications of the Gaganyaan Mission. As the agency continues to make strides in space travel, the potential future involvement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a space mission underscores the evolving trajectory of the Indian space program and its aspirations for groundbreaking achievements.
The willingness to embark on such a significant endeavor demonstrates ISRO’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of space exploration while maintaining a prudent approach to undertaking ambitious missions. As ISRO navigates the complexities of human space flight, the possibility of sending the Prime Minister to space serves as a symbol of India’s ambitions and advancements in the field of space exploration.
