By Vijay Grover
As the new Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman, an eminent aerospace engineer and rocket scientist S Somanath take charge of his vision for ISRO as well as the Department of Space for a tenure of three years promises transformation for the Space-Tech industry in India from project mode to establishing a commercial Space economy-boosting India’s image and displaying skill-sets of Indian scientists. In an exclusive chat with Vijay Grover, Editor IA&D, S Somanath shares his vision for the subsequent three-year tenure.
“I wish to create a National Space Enterprise of bigger magnitude and implement the Opening Up Of Space Sector,” Dr Somanath told IA&D, outlining his vision for ISRO for the near future.
ISRO, which is on the verge of virtual take off following the signing of MoU’s with several Indian start-up companies to commercially tap its potential, is looking to become a space-tech powerhouse with scientific and commercial accomplishments.
It may be recalled that the start-up ecosphere in Space-Tech is on mission mode of working alongside ISRO in making Indian Space Tech a 12.8 Billion US dollar industry in the next three years.
When IA&D asked Mr Somanath about his immediate priority in the new role, he said, “ I am looking to complete the missions on hand expeditiously and create a long term roadmap.”
The last two years impacted by the pandemic have seen several deadlines missed by scientists at ISRO. The new chairman knows that when human-crewed missions to Space by Elon Musk and Virgin Galactic have brought space travel to within realms of starting a Space Tourism race, he will need to ensure that not just the Gaganyaan mission, he will need to look beyond it.
He has played an integral role in the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). And it is said that it was In 1994 when the much-awaited launch was delayed due to an issue in the rocket. Then a young engineer at ISRO, Somanath, joined his seniors to resolve the problem. With his help, the rocket went on to perform exceedingly well. The first big launch after his assuming office is a PSLV launch sometime next month.
Coming from a background of being an expert in a host of disciplines, including launch vehicle design, Somanath is setting his eyes on the Gaganyaan project for its expeditious completion. “Gaganyaan is an ambitious project which is the first step of our nation to have an Indian in Space capability”, says the new Chairman of ISRO.
Chairman Somanath knows his biggest challenge is to put back the agency’s human space flight programme on track. The setbacks due to delays and launch failures, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected several scientists, and a general slowdown since the failure of the Chandrayaan 2 robotic moon landing mission in September 2019 will need his leadership skills to re-set timelines.
IA&D had carried out a detailed report on the progress of the Gaganyaan project in the previous edition.
What comes strikingly inspiring is the broader vision that he shares in taking Indian Space-tech beyond social realms and project demonstration mode into a full-fledged corporate enterprise mode. The Department Of Science, of which S Somanathan will hold the charge as Secretary, is looking at several collaborations in the private and public sector in India apart from tie-ups with several countries across the globe working closely with India.
Talking about the focus areas, as the new chairman, Somanath, says, “Areas of focus will be technology, policy, implementation and areas where stakeholders need to be taken care of. There are different segments that we need to concentrate on. Looking at the technology side, we are the powerhouse of technology in various disciplines. We need to bring new approach methods so that they can be best utilised.”
Indeed, on the threshold of the aerospace and space economy revolution, India is embarking on a new journey in Space-Tech, which will go miles in establishing India as a key player.
