Corona affected various ISRO space missions

New Delhi, 16 August 2020 Sunday

The Corona virus epidemic could delay the deployment of India's unmanned space mission under the first phase of 'Gaganyan', which is scheduled to launch in December 2020. Sources have given this information. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) plans to send two unmanned missions into space in December 2021, ahead of the first manned spaceflight by Gaganyan.

The potential delay in the first unmanned mission was recently reported to the Space Commission, the apex body that makes policies on space-related issues. ISRO Chairman and Secretary, Space Department K. Sivan is the head of the Space Commission. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a manned space mission in his Independence Day address two years ago.

The Gaganyan mission aims to send a three-member Indian team into space for a period of five to seven days by 2022 on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of independence. Accordingly, ISRO had started planning the mission. The plan is to send the first unmanned mission in December 2020 and the second unmanned mission in June 2021.

ISRO had indicated that the Corona virus had affected its operations due to disruptions caused by the epidemic. And many missions can be delayed. The two major projects that have been affected include Chandrayaan-3 and Gaganyan. Chandrayaan-3, the third mission to be sent to the moon, is expected to begin later this year.

Efforts are underway to follow the 2022 deadline for the manned space mission, sources said. "We will not be able to meet the December 2020 deadline for sending unmanned missions. The Corona virus epidemic has created a number of hurdles. The Space Commission was also informed recently," a source said.