A meeting to discuss the issues related to Indian Manned Space Mission was organized by ISRO at its Headquarters in Antariksh Bhavan, Bangalore, today (November 7, 2006). About 80 senior scientists from across the country participated in the meeting.

Dr B N Suresh, Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) presented to the gathering of scientists, the studies carried out by ISRO in the last four years to examine the technological challenges of a manned space mission and the Indian capability to undertake such a mission. Mr Madan Lal, Deputy Director, VSSC, made a detailed presentation on the various aspects of the mission.

The concept for the manned space mission include the development of an autonomous Orbital Vehicle which could be launched by India's Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, GSLV-Mk II, or GSLV-Mk III. The study highlighted that ISRO has maturity in many technologies required for manned space mission.

However, new developments are required in life support systems, improved reliability and safety, crew escape system, etc. While some of the facilities required are available in the country and could be used with augmentation, a few have to be established afresh. The preliminary estimated cost for the Manned Space Mission is Rs.10,000 crore spread over a period of 8 years.

The gathering of scientists attending the meeting today was highly appreciative of the study conducted by ISRO and unanimous in suggesting that the time is appropriate for India to undertake a manned mission. They had lengthy discussions on various technical aspects. They stressed the need for reliability and safety aspects of the mission and suggested many issues to be studied further.

Among those who attended the meeting today were Prof U R Rao, Prof Yash Pal, Prof R Narasimha, Dr R M Vasagam, Shri N Pant, Dr P S Goel, Wg Cmdr Rakesh Sharma, Dr N Balakrishnan, Dr A R Upadhya, Dr T S Prahlad, Dr S Vasantha, Prof G N V Rao, Prof V Radhakrishnan, Mr A K Saxena, K V S S Prasad, Mr Avinash Chander, AVM D C Kumaria, Lt Gen Vijan, Dr Pankaj Tyagi besides Mr G Madhavan Nair, Chairman, ISRO, directors and senior scientists of ISRO Centres.