Isro Working to Achieve Critical Technologies for Manned Space Mission

"We are working for critical technologies for human space programmes. Currently we are working on environmentally controlled chamber so that the chamber is habitable for human being for long period," Isro Chairman A S Kirankumar said on a question if the space organisation is working for building capsule for human space programme.

"We have make sure that various oxygen level and carbon dioxide level is conducive for human being for weeks together in the capsule. The methods of controlling the environment ensuring that whether inside the capsule is comfortable for astronauts, those experiments are going on," he said.

"When capsule came back from the space it traverse through the atmosphere and outer tiles sustain the enormous heat that is generated. So there are some heat retardant paints which can be useful. Even in case of accidental fire, so these kind of fire retardant paints will be used," he said.

The chairman said Isro is also providing help in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious Ganga Mission by providing real-time data on water quality.

"On Clean Ganga Mission we are providing some real-time information layers. Information is being collected through various satellite data and also using satellite data for monitoring quality of water is being done," he said.

The Isro chief stressed on students learning space sciences through recently launched software FEAST.

"We want students to work in space programme through FEAST (Finite Element Software for Structure Analysis) software. This is part of the software which was developed by Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre for doing our structure development activities," he said.

"We have certain capabilities of using these software for designing structures and various mechanical parts. Now we are making it available, one version is made available free to academic institutions," he said.

He said that Isro is planning to launch GSLV Mark-II by March next year.

He also said India's indigenous radar system to trace the debris in space has also become operational.