Bengaluru, July 14 (PTI) – In an exclusive interview with India’s leading newspaper, The [Newspaper Name], the esteemed former Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), K. Sivan, shed light on the remarkable achievements and future prospects of India’s Chandrayaan mission.
During the conversation, Sivan, widely hailed as the driving force behind the successful Chandrayaan missions, provided valuable insights into the scientific and technological advancements made by the Indian space agency. He emphasized the crucial role played by the Chandrayaan missions in enhancing India’s stature in the global space exploration community.
Under Sivan’s leadership, ISRO successfully launched the Chandrayaan-1 mission in 2008, which marked India’s first lunar exploration venture. The mission, equipped with a suite of scientific instruments, including the Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3), detected evidence of water on the moon’s surface, a groundbreaking discovery that garnered international acclaim.
Sivan further highlighted the significance of Chandrayaan-2, launched in 2019, which comprised an orbiter, lander, and rover. While the lander Vikram faced a minor setback during its descent, the orbiter continued to operate and capture high-resolution images of the lunar surface. This mission served as a valuable learning experience, enabling the ISRO team to identify areas for improvement and refine their future lunar exploration plans.
Moreover, Sivan expressed his enthusiasm for India’s upcoming Chandrayaan-3 mission, which is poised to surpass its predecessors in terms of complexity and ambition. Chandrayaan-3 aims to land a rover on the moon’s surface, furthering our understanding of lunar geology and providing valuable insights into the evolution of our celestial neighbor.
As we delve deeper into the interview, Sivan shared fascinating statistics that highlight India’s growing presence in the field of space exploration. With a cost of approximately $141 million, the Chandrayaan-2 mission was significantly more cost-effective compared to similar endeavors by other nations. This cost efficiency has been a hallmark of ISRO’s space missions, enabling India to achieve impressive scientific outcomes within a limited budget.
It is worth noting that India’s Chandrayaan missions have also fostered international collaborations. Sivan revealed that the Indian space agency is actively partnering with other nations to leverage their expertise and resources, creating a global synergy in space exploration efforts. Collaborations with countries such as the United States, Japan, and Russia have facilitated the exchange of knowledge and technological advancements, propelling India’s space program to new heights.
In conclusion, the interview with former Chairman K. Sivan shed light on India’s remarkable achievements in lunar exploration through the Chandrayaan missions. Sivan’s insights showcased the valuable scientific discoveries made by the missions and highlighted ISRO’s commitment to cost efficiency and international collaboration. With Chandrayaan-3 on the horizon, India’s endeavors in space exploration continue to captivate the world and pave the way for groundbreaking discoveries that expand our understanding of the universe.
