As the race back to the Moon gathers pace, space missions are shifting from brief visits to long-term presence. In conversation with TNIE’s Tamreen Sultana, project director for Chandrayaan-1, Mylswamy Annadurai, breaks down ISRO’s future missions and India’s expanding role in the global space landscape.
Can you describe your journey?
I grew up in a village near Coimbatore without street lights, which sparked my interest in the Moon. I joined the ISRO in 1982 and, over 36 years, worked on remote sensing and communication missions, later leading Chandrayaan-1, Chandrayaan-2, and the Mars Orbiter Mission and serving as director of the U R Rao Satellite Centre. After retirement, I work with the Tamil Nadu state council for science and technology and now focus on green hydrogen, robotics and startups, collaborating with young innovators in deep-tech.
What are ISRO’s future goals in the next decade?
Chandrayaan missions have already identified key lunar regions, especially the poles. Plans include Chandrayaan-4 and 5, possibly with sample return, expanded robotic exploration, and preparation for human spaceflight, along with increased international collaboration similar to the ISS.
Looking ahead, what scientific goals can we expect from ISRO in planetary exploration?
The long-term vision includes Gaganyaan, India’s first indigenous human spaceflight programme developed by Indian Space Research Organisation. It aims to send a three-member crew to a 400 km low-Earth orbit for 3–7 days and return them safely, with a crewed launch targeted for 2027. The mission will use the human-rated LVM3 rocket, making India the fourth nation to independently launch humans into space.
With an approved budget of around `9,023 crore, the programme involves key technologies such as the human-rated launch vehicle, Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), and Crew Escape System. The crew module, weighing about 5.3 tonnes, is designed to carry three astronauts.
Beyond this, ISRO’s broader vision includes expanding human presence to the Moon and eventually Mars, alongside missions to Mars and Venus to better understand planetary evolution and explore resources like Helium-3.
How does ISRO face unique challenges compared to other space agencies?
ISRO works with relatively simpler launch vehicles and limited budgets compared to countries like the US, Russia, and China. Despite nearly 100 global lunar missions, it must still create meaningful differentiation, with initially less experience in lunar science. Targeting the polar region adds technical difficulty, as earlier missions focused on equatorial areas. Managing international collaborations also brings coordination challenges. Despite this, ISRO achieved major milestones, including discovering water on the Moon and landing in the polar region.
What happens on the ground after a mission is launched?
After launch from Sriharikota, operations quickly shift to the Bengaluru control centre, while global ground stations—including Andaman, Perth, Goldstone, and Madrid—track the mission. Scientists monitor systems, carry out orbit-raising manoeuvres, and analyse incoming data. As the spacecraft moves towards the Moon, tracking shifts between stations. Data is shared with researchers, cross-verified and archived to build lunar maps, helping plan future missions.
Is AI used in interpreting data or mission operations?
AI is mainly used for autonomy. Landers identify safe landing sites, systems switch to backups if needed, and rovers operate independently. This autonomous functioning is a key application of AI in missions.
Do these missions provide any defence advantage?
While primarily scientific, these missions have indirect strategic value. Chandrayaan-1’s precise lunar impact and subsequent landing missions demonstrate high targeting accuracy over vast distances, reflecting strong technological capability and acting as a deterrent.
What message would you give to young people aspiring to join ISRO?
A: Today’s generation has far greater opportunities. Space is no longer limited to ISRO, with new launch facilities and space parks opening avenues for innovation and entrepreneurship. If they prepare well, they can explore vast possibilities — truly, even the sky is not the limit.