The Man Behind Mission India 2047 Exclusive Interview with Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

Indeed, the recent announcement of an Indian Space Station by 2035 and a human Moon landing by 2040 has ignited tremendous enthusiasm both within India and across the global space community. These are incredibly ambitious, yet achievable, goals that signify India's growing prowess and commitment to leading the way in space exploration. These activities are initiated by the guidelines given by Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modiji.

Having said this, we also understand that there are certain challenges. Let me briefly outline the key milestones and challenges, and how ISRO is preparing to realize this vision.

Let’s talk about the establishment of the Indian Space Station (as we call it Bharatiya Antariksha Station - BAS) by 2035. Key Milestones for realisation of BAS include,

Success of Gaganyaan Programme - The foundational step is the successful completion of the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program. This includes multiple uncrewed test flights (G1, G2, G3) to validate critical systems like the Human-Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3), Crew Module, Service Module, Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), and Crew Escape System (CES). Subsequently, two crewed missions are planned, which are critical for demonstrating our capability to send humans to orbit and bring them back safely.

Module Development and Launch: BAS will be developed in a modular fashion. The first module's development (BAS-1) has already been approved, and its successful realization and launch will be a significant milestone, which is targeted for 2028. We envision a multi-module (five modules) station having 52 52-tonne mass by 2035.

Docking Capabilities: We have successfully demonstrated autonomous docking capabilities with our SPADEX mission, which is crucial for assembling the space station in orbit and for future resupply missions. We need to upgrade these technologies to the International Docking System Standard (IDSS). Towards this, two additional uncrewed missions (G4 and G5) are planned as part of the Gaganyaan Programme.

Long-Duration Habitation: Developing and testing systems for long-duration human presence in space, including radiation protection, waste management, and closed-loop life support systems, will be progressively achieved.

Astronaut Training and Medical Preparedness: Rigorous training of astronauts for extended stays in microgravity and developing comprehensive space medicine protocols are paramount.

Coming to Challenges,

a) BAS is a technologically complex mission, and building a space station is a colossal undertaking. It demands cutting-edge technology for life support, radiation shielding, power generation, thermal control, and structural integrity that needs to be developed and perfected.

b) Budgetary Allocation: A project of this magnitude requires substantial and sustained financial investment. While the government under Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has shown very strong support, securing and efficiently utilizing the necessary budget will be a continuous challenge.

c) Logistics and Assembly: Launching multiple large modules and assembling them precisely in orbit is a complex logistical and engineering feat, requiring advanced robotics and precise rendezvous and docking capabilities.

d) Long-Term Sustainability: Ensuring the station's operational longevity, including regular maintenance, resupply, and managing space debris, will demand continuous innovation and dedicated resources.

e) International Cooperation: While we aim for an indigenous station, international collaboration can offer valuable insights, resource sharing, and risk mitigation. Navigating geopolitical considerations in space will be important.

Now, coming to the  Human Moon Landing by 2040, it is every Indian citizen’s dream to achieve this feat. The Key Milestones for this challenging mission include:

Advanced Launch Vehicle Development: To send humans to the Moon, we will need more powerful launch vehicles beyond the current LVM3, capable of lifting heavier payloads, including the lunar lander and ascent vehicle, and the necessary propulsion stages for trans-lunar injection. The development of a new Moon Rocket is crucial.

Lunar Lander and Ascent Vehicle: Designing, developing, and testing a robust lunar lander capable of soft landing on the Moon's surface with astronauts and an ascent vehicle to return them to lunar orbit are critical. Chandrayaan-3 has given us invaluable experience in soft landing, and Chandrayaan-4 is designed to demonstrate sample return, which includes ascent from the lunar surface and docking in lunar orbit. These are direct precursors.

Deep Space Navigation and Communication: Mastering navigation and communication over vast distances to the Moon and back will require upgrades to our ground stations and deep space network.

Lunar Orbit Rendezvous and Docking: The mission architecture will likely involve docking in lunar orbit, either for crew transfer or for combining various modules. Our SPADEX experiment and future tests will be vital here.

Radiation Protection and Life Support for Lunar Missions: The lunar environment presents harsher radiation challenges than low-Earth orbit. Developing enhanced radiation shielding and robust life support systems for longer lunar missions is a significant technological hurdle.

Astronaut Training for Lunar Environment: Training astronauts not only for spaceflight but also for lunar surface operations, including spacewalks (EVAs) and operating in reduced gravity, is a specialized field.

The Key Challenges for this mission include:

a) Advanced Propulsion Technology: Developing the high-thrust, efficient propulsion systems required for lunar trajectories, including potentially new generation cryogenic engines.

b) Re-entry and Recovery from Lunar Return Trajectories: The re-entry velocities from the Moon are much higher than from low-Earth orbit, requiring advanced heat shield materials and precise atmospheric entry control.

c) Lunar Surface Operations: Establishing capabilities for lunar surface exploration, including developing lunar rovers (if planned for human missions), habitats, and power generation systems.

d) Funding and Resource Allocation: The financial outlay for a human lunar mission is immense. Careful planning and consistent allocation will be necessary.

e) International Landscape: While we aim for an independent capability, exploring avenues for collaboration with other spacefaring nations on specific technologies or mission segments could be beneficial.

India's Preparedness:

India, through ISRO, is remarkably prepared to realize this vision, built on decades of incremental progress and strategic successes:

Proven Launch Capabilities: Our GSLV and LVM3 launch vehicles are robust and have demonstrated their ability to launch significant payloads. The LVM3 is the workhorse for Gaganyaan.

Deep Space Mission Expertise: Missions like Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission, and especially Chandrayaan-3, have provided invaluable experience in deep space navigation, propulsion, lunar orbit operations, and soft landing technologies. Chandrayaan-3's successful soft landing near the lunar south pole is a testament to our precision engineering.

Human Spaceflight Program (Gaganyaan): The Gaganyaan program is progressing steadily. We have successfully conducted the TV-D1 test flight validating the Crew Escape System, and further test vehicle missions (TV-D2, IADT-01) are in the pipeline. Significant progress has been made on the Human-Rated LVM3, the orbital module's propulsion systems, ECLSS, and the Crew Escape System motors. Our ground communication network and recovery operations are also being finalized.

Indigenous Technology Base: ISRO's philosophy of self-reliance has fostered a strong indigenous technology base across various domains, from propulsion to navigation and materials science. This minimizes dependence on external entities for critical technologies.

Growing Industrial Ecosystem: Post space sector reforms, the opening up of the space sector to private participation is catalyzing innovation and manufacturing, which will be crucial for scaling up production and support for these large-scale missions. Private entities are already contributing significantly.

Skilled Workforce: India possesses a vast pool of highly skilled scientists, engineers, and technicians who are passionate about space exploration. Our academic institutions are also increasingly contributing to space research.

Government Support: The strong political will and financial backing from the government are crucial enablers for these ambitious endeavors. The recent budget allocation demonstrates this commitment.

International Collaborations: We have established strong relationships with space agencies globally, including NASA (NISAR), CNES (TRISHNA) and JAXA (Lunar Polar Exploration Mission), and are open to further collaboration where it aligns with our strategic objectives. An Indian astronaut has also recently gained experience on the ISS through a collaboration with NASA and Axiom Space.

The "Make in India" initiative is not just a government slogan; it's a foundational philosophy deeply embedded within ISRO's operational ethos. A resolute commitment to indigenous development has characterized our journey from modest beginnings to a leading spacefaring nation. This self-reliance is now more critical than ever as we embark on ambitious projects like the Indian Space Station (Bharatiya Antariksha Station - BAS) by 2035 and a human Moon landing by 2040.

Here's how ISRO is strengthening "Make in India" and its pivotal role in achieving these future milestones:

1. Developing Indigenous Technologies:

Materials Science: From high-strength alloys for launch vehicle structures to advanced composites for payload fairings and re-entry heat shields, ISRO continuously pushes the boundaries of material science. This not only reduces import dependency but also fosters a domestic ecosystem for advanced material manufacturing.

Propulsion Systems: ISRO's propulsion capabilities are a prime example of "Make in India." We have indigenously developed liquid propulsion engines (like the Vikas engine for the workhorse of PSLV and GSLV stages), cryogenic engines (like the CUS for GSLV Mark II and CE-20 for LVM3), and solid rocket motors. The ongoing development of semi-cryogenic engines using LOX-Kerosene and LOX-Methane propulsion systems (for reusable launch vehicles) further solidifies our self-reliance. The recent successful qualification test of the Crew module and Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS) for Gaganyaan, developed by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), is a testament to this expertise.

Sensors and Avionics: The "brains" of our satellites and rockets – the navigation systems, onboard computers, communication transponders, and various scientific sensors – are increasingly being developed in-house or through collaborations with Indian industries and academic institutions. Missions like Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1 showcased the precision and reliability of our indigenous sensors and instruments.

Life Support Systems (ECLSS): For the Gaganyaan mission and the future space station, the development of the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) is entirely indigenous. This is a complex system vital for human survival in space, involving air purification, water recycling, temperature control, and waste management.

Robotics and Automation: Our docking experiments (SpaDeX) and future plans for automated assembly of the space station rely heavily on indigenous robotics and autonomous systems for precise maneuvers in space.

2. Strengthening Indigenous Launch Systems:

Workhorse Launchers (PSLV, GSLV, LVM3): The entire design, development, and manufacturing process for our operational launch vehicles – PSLV, GSLV, and LVM3 – is indigenous. These vehicles are the backbone of our space program, enabling us to launch our own satellites and those of international clients.

Human-Rated LVM3 (HLVM3): For the Gaganyaan mission, the LVM3 has been "human-rated," which involves rigorous testing and enhancements to ensure crew safety. This is a significant indigenous achievement, ensuring we don't rely on foreign launchers for human spaceflight. Assembly of the HLVM3 for the first uncrewed flight has already begun.

Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV): Developed specifically for the small satellite market, the SSLV is another fully indigenous launch system, designed for quick turnaround and cost-effective launches, meeting a growing global demand.

Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV-TD): ISRO is actively pursuing reusable launch vehicle technology, including winged body vehicles capable of autonomous runway landing. This will drastically reduce launch costs and further enhance our indigenous capabilities for future heavy-lift and human spaceflight needs.

3. Enhancing Payload Capabilities:

Diverse Satellite Platforms: We have mastered the design and fabrication of various satellite platforms for communication, earth observation, navigation (NavIC), and scientific research. This allows us to customize payloads for specific mission objectives, without external dependence.

Advanced Scientific Instruments: From the sophisticated instruments on Aditya-L1 for solar studies to the lander and rover payloads of Chandrayaan-3, ISRO consistently develops cutting-edge scientific instruments in-house. This capability is crucial for maximizing the scientific output of our missions.

Crew Module and Service Module: For Gaganyaan, the Crew Module and the Service Module are complex, highly critical systems developed entirely by ISRO. This includes the deceleration and recovery systems, such as parachutes, for safe re-entry and splashdown.

Role in Achieving Future Milestones (Indian Space Station & Human Moon Landing):

The "Make in India" philosophy is not just a preference; it's a strategic imperative for realizing the Indian Space Station and human Moon landing goals:

Self-Reliance and Strategic Autonomy: These missions are national endeavors of immense strategic importance. Relying on indigenous capabilities ensures complete control over technology, data, and mission execution, free from external geopolitical pressures or dependencies. This guarantees mission continuity and flexibility.

Cost-Effectiveness: Developing technologies indigenously often leads to more cost-effective solutions in the long run, as it reduces reliance on expensive foreign imports and allows for optimized production within the domestic industrial framework. This financial prudence is crucial for sustaining multi-decade, large-scale projects.

Capability Building: Every indigenous development, every new material, every test rig, every software algorithm developed in-house, builds a stronger foundation of expertise and infrastructure within the country. This growing capability is directly transferable to the complex demands of building a space station and executing a lunar landing.

Industrial Growth and Employment: The "Make in India" thrust creates a vibrant ecosystem of public and private industries, MSMEs, and startups. ISRO acts as a catalyst, transferring technology, providing opportunities for manufacturing components, and driving innovation. This generates high-skilled employment and fosters a robust aerospace and high-tech manufacturing sector, contributing to national economic growth. IN-SPACe and NSIL are actively facilitating private sector participation, leveraging their strengths for the larger national space goals.

Adaptability and Innovation: When challenges arise, indigenous capabilities allow for rapid iteration, problem-solving, and innovation tailored to our specific needs and resources. This agility is critical in the dynamic and unpredictable environment of space exploration.

India's burgeoning semiconductor and Artificial Intelligence ecosystems are not just complementing, but profoundly transforming ISRO's capabilities. For us, this isn't merely about adopting new tools; it's about fundamentally reshaping how we design, operate, and innovate in space, paving the way for our most ambitious endeavors yet.

At ISRO, we've always championed self-reliance, and this philosophy is now finding incredible synergy with 'Make in India' in the semiconductor and AI domains. Take, for instance, the recent development of 32-bit micro-processors by ISRO and SCL. Why is this so crucial? Firstly, it provides us with strategic autonomy. In a world of complex global supply chains and geopolitical shifts, having our own high-performance, radiation-hardened processors for critical satellite systems is non-negotiable. It ensures reliability, security, and consistent supply, which are paramount for long-duration missions and critical national infrastructure in space.

This indigenous chip design allows us to push the envelope in satellite design. We're moving towards more intelligent satellites that can perform 'edge computing' in orbit. Instead of sending down vast amounts of raw data for processing on Earth, our satellites can now analyze information onboard. Imagine an Earth observation satellite detecting cloud cover or specific land-use changes and only transmitting the processed, actionable insights. This dramatically reduces downlink bandwidth, accelerates data delivery, and provides near real-time intelligence for applications ranging from disaster management to climate monitoring. 

The impact on mission efficiency is equally profound. AI and Machine Learning are revolutionizing how we plan and execute our missions. For a complex mission like Chandrayaan-3, AI-powered algorithms were instrumental in the Vikram lander's precise soft landing. The Hazard Detection and Avoidance Cameras, combined with AI, allowed the lander to identify safe landing spots in real-time on the lunar surface – a feat of autonomous decision-making in an alien environment.

But perhaps the most exciting frontier is in autonomous space operations. The recent success of our Space Docking Experiment, SpaDeX, is a direct outcome of our advancements in this area. AI-driven algorithms underpin the precise rendezvous and docking maneuvers. This isn't just a technical demonstration; it's a foundational capability for our future Indian Space Station, the 'Bharatiya Antariksha Station' (BAS), which we envision by 2035. Modules will need to dock autonomously, and AI will orchestrate this intricate choreography. Beyond assembly, AI will be the silent guardian of the station, managing its health, optimizing resource consumption, predicting maintenance needs, and even assisting our astronauts.

Looking ahead to our human Moon landing by 2040, the role of AI becomes even more critical. Our lunar landers will employ even more sophisticated AI for ultra-precise landings, adapting to unforeseen terrain features. On the lunar surface, AI-powered robotic rovers, building on the legacy of Pragyan, will act as intelligent assistants to human explorers, navigating treacherous terrains, identifying scientific targets, and even potentially aiding in the setup of lunar habitats and the extraction of resources like water ice.

Furthermore, ISRO is actively engaged with India's vibrant startup ecosystem in AI, fostering challenges and collaborations to bring innovative solutions into space applications. This public-private partnership is accelerating the development and adoption of new AI algorithms and specialized hardware.

The question of public-private synergy is, in my view, the single most critical factor that will define the next wave of indigenous innovation and global competitiveness for India's space sector. For decades, ISRO has been the torchbearer, meticulously building foundational capabilities – from launch vehicles to satellites, from deep-space navigation to complex scientific payloads. We established the robust bedrock upon which our nation's space aspirations rest.

However, the global space landscape is changing at an unprecedented pace. It's no longer just about state-funded agencies. The 'NewSpace' movement, driven by agile private enterprises, is democratizing access to space, accelerating innovation cycles, and dramatically reducing costs. To truly compete on this global stage, and more importantly, to accelerate our national vision, ISRO recognized that we couldn't, and shouldn't, go it alone.

How does this synergy work?

Firstly, it's about unleashing latent potential. India possesses an enormous pool of brilliant engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs. Historically, many aspired to join ISRO, but the opportunities for private innovation in space were limited. Now, with a clear policy framework, access to ISRO's world-class facilities (our test beds, launch pads, and expertise), and financial incentives like the dedicated Venture Capital Fund under IN-SPACe, these startups are flourishing. We see companies like Skyroot Aerospace and Agnikul Cosmos designing and even launching their own rockets, Pixxel building advanced hyperspectral constellations, and various others innovating in satellite components, ground systems, and space-based applications. This competitive environment fuels a rapid iteration of ideas and technologies, something a monolithic government agency cannot achieve on its own.

Secondly, it fosters specialization and efficiency. ISRO can now strategically divest some of its routine, operational activities – such as the full manufacturing of PSLV launch vehicles, which is now being taken up by a consortium led by HAL and L&T – allowing us to redirect our invaluable human capital and financial resources towards cutting-edge research, deep-space exploration, and advanced human spaceflight technologies. This is where ISRO's unique expertise lies. This division of labor leads to greater efficiency across the entire value chain.

Thirdly, it directly strengthens 'Make in India'. These private players are not just assembling foreign components; they are designing, developing, and manufacturing highly complex, space-grade hardware and software within India. Every successful private launch, every satellite built by an Indian startup, contributes to our national self-reliance and technological sovereignty.

Finally, and crucially, it drives global competitiveness. When you look at the global space market, it's increasingly defined by affordability, rapid turnaround times, and innovative applications. Our private players, with their agile business models and cost-effective solutions, are perfectly positioned to capture a significant share of this market. Whether it's offering competitive launch services, providing niche satellite data products, or developing novel in-orbit servicing capabilities, Indian companies are now emerging as credible global contenders. This not only generates revenue and creates jobs but also elevates India's standing as a reliable and advanced space partner on the international stage.

When we look at 2047, we envision an India that is not just a leading spacefaring nation, but a comprehensive space power, deeply integrated into the global space economy and a pivotal contributor to humanity's push into the cosmos."

By 2047, our Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS) will be a thriving, multi-module orbital habitat, a testament to our indigenous engineering prowess. It won't just be a platform for scientific research and technological demonstrations, but a vibrant hub for Indian astronauts to conduct long-duration missions, numerous scientific experiments, prepare for deeper space exploration, and even host international collaborators. We will have a continuous human presence in low-Earth orbit, a significant step forward from the initial Gaganyaan missions."

The Moon will be a familiar, yet still awe-inspiring, frontier. Following our human landing by 2040, we foresee a sustained Indian presence on the lunar surface. This could involve robotic lunar outposts for resource prospecting – particularly water ice – and perhaps even the early stages of a small, human-tended lunar base. Our Moon Rocket, highly capable and reusable, will be ferrying payloads and personnel to lunar orbit and the surface with unprecedented frequency and cost-efficiency. Imagine, our landers and rovers, refined over multiple Chandrayaan missions, working in tandem with our astronauts, unlocking the Moon's secrets and resources for scientific advancement and future sustenance."

Beyond Earth and the Moon, ISRO's ambitions extend across the solar system. "Our deep space exploration portfolio will expand significantly. We'll have a more advanced Venus orbiter mission providing unprecedented data on its atmosphere. We may even see India embarking on ambitious missions to Mars beyond Mangalyaan-1, perhaps even robotic sample return missions, leveraging the lessons learned from our lunar endeavors. The focus will be on understanding planetary evolution, the origins of life, and searching for habitable environments."

On Earth, space technology will be seamlessly integrated into every facet of 'Viksit Bharat' – a developed India. Our NavIC constellation will be globally augmented, providing precise navigation and timing services not just for India, but potentially for extended regions, showcasing our commitment to global public good. Earth observation satellites, powered by advanced AI and quantum computing, will provide real-time, ultra-high-resolution data for climate resilience, precision agriculture, disaster management, and urban planning. Satellite communication will be ubiquitous, bridging the digital divide even in the remotest corners, enabling 6G networks and beyond.

The Indian private space sector, fostered by reforms and entities like IN-SPACe, will be a global powerhouse. We will see Indian companies designing, building, launching, and operating constellations of satellites for diverse commercial applications – communication, remote sensing, space tourism, and even in-orbit servicing. ISRO will transition more towards R&D, advanced technology development, and deep space exploration, acting as the national enabler and standard-bearer, while the industry drives the commercialization and mass production.

Look at our journey. We started with rockets transported on bicycles, fueled by sheer will and intellect. Today, we stand on the cusp of building our own space station and sending our own to the Moon. This was built by a generation that dared to dream beyond the stars. Now, it is your turn to dream even bigger.

Embrace interdisciplinary learning. The challenges of space are not confined to a single field. You will need to be fluent in aerospace engineering, but also in artificial intelligence, robotics, material science, biology, medicine, and even economics and policy. The problems you solve will require a holistic approach.

Cultivate a spirit of relentless curiosity and innovation. Do not be afraid to challenge conventional wisdom, to ask 'why not?' Be the ones who dare to invent new propulsion systems, new ways to live in space, new methods to harness lunar resources, or entirely new applications for satellite data that we haven't even conceived of yet.

Collaboration is key. While 'Make in India' is our strength, 'Collaborate with the World' will be our future. Engage with global partners, share knowledge, and contribute to humanity's collective endeavors. Space is too vast and too important for any single nation to conquer alone.

Finally, remember your responsibility. As we push into space, we must do so sustainably and ethically. Be the custodians of this new frontier, ensuring that space remains a peaceful domain for the benefit of all humanity. Your work will shape not just India's future, but the future of our species among the stars.

Go forth, learn, innovate, and contribute. The universe awaits your footprint. Jai Hind.