Robots to Operate India’s Space Station Before Astronauts Arrive

India is set to establish its space station, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, by 2035, following recent government approval for the proposal. The indian space research organisation (ISRO) is preparing to construct the station through a series of launches using its current launch capabilities.

In an exclusive interview with CNN-News18, isro Chairman Dr. S. Somanath explained that the initial phase of the mission will be primarily robotic. “We plan for it to be more robotic at first since most tasks will be performed by robots. This will allow us to take advantage of the unique microgravity environment for experiments, which we can send out and retrieve,” he stated. He emphasized that once the robotic phase is complete, human astronauts will follow.

India also aims to launch a Venus orbiter mission by 2028. While the country successfully completed a Mars orbiter mission, Venus presents unique challenges due to its high atmospheric pressure and dense cloud cover. “Venus has a vastly different atmosphere and scientific objectives compared to Mars. Mars has a rarefied atmosphere, whereas Venus has a thick one. Exploring its atmosphere is challenging, and no one has yet observed its surface due to the dense clouds and pressure,” Somanath noted. The goal is to place a satellite in orbit, send a probe into the atmosphere, and conduct measurements.

India has only one opportunity to target Venus in 2028 when the planet is closer to Earth before moving to the opposite side of the Sun, making it unreachable.

Impact of Boeing Starliner Incident on Gaganyaan
Dr. Somanath addressed the recent Boeing Starliner incident, which left two astronauts stranded at the international Space Station, stating that it will not affect India’s Gaganyaan mission. He mentioned that while isro is being cautious, the project’s timelines have slightly extended due to the agency’s commitment to using indigenous technology and manufacturing, which helps keep costs down.
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Balasahana Suresh

21/09/2024 12:39 PM