Dr. SreedharaPanickerSomanath is an Indian Space Scientist; and is known for his contributions to launch vehicle design. In January 2022, he took over as the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation.
Dr. S. Somanathspeaks to TOGETHER regarding his new assignment, new trends in space research, and his dream for India.
Together:Congratulations Sir. You took up as the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation early this year. Tell us about ‘you as a space researcher’, and what personal interests and passion led you to be a space researcher?
Dr. S Somanath: I was very fascinated during my college days with my limited knowledge gathered on universe, solar systems, general physics topics such as matter and astronomy. This interest was triggered by the books I read in my school days.
During my engineering course in Mechanical Engineering, I was interested in thermal, flow and propulsion studies. But I had no information or awareness on the space technology and its possibilities, as accessible to youngsters today.
I was not a researcher in space science area, but into engineering of space systems such as launch vehicles. That is how I started working in PSLV project and later in LVM3 rocket design. I was really passionate in design and creative in conceiving engineering systems, realize, test and integrate them.
India formally began its space programme in 1960s with Vikram Sarabhai, founder of INCOSPAR, which later led to the creation of ISRO. After 60 years how do you evaluate India’s space research and technology?
There was a big gap in technological capability between India and other space faring nations during 60s. While USA and Russia were in space race and were working on moon mission, we were launching borrowed sounding rockets and conducting basic science experiments. But in the last 60 years we could bridge this technological gap to a great extent. We are now capable of conceiving any type of missions, build instruments, spacecrafts, launch using our own launch vehicles form our land, and also provide operational services in communication, remote sensing, navigation and science.
Take the example of Mars Orbit Mission (MOM) and Chandrayaan. Success of these missions are examples of the technical prowess of our nation, when we understand the unique approaches taken by ISRO to accomplish this mission and also science outcome produced.
We have achieved atmanirbharta in the domain of space technology except for some special items such as electronic parts that goes into our rockets and spacecrafts. The scale of operations of ISRO are lessercompared to others and announced plans are smaller in magnitude and less ambitious due to lower budget allocations. But we have the needed technological capability, cost effectiveness and application centric approach which are worth celebrating.
As you begin as the Chairman of ISRO, what are your initial challenges?
I had to work towards converting the announcement of reforms in space sector by the governmentinto a reality. This included preparing and announcing the revised space policy, bring out the draft space activity bill, commence the operation of INSPACe.
We had to prepare the plan for the missions in this year and next, prepare the overall plan for realization including that of Gaganyaan and other development programs.
After you took up as the Chairman of ISRO, it successfully launched India’s earth observation satellite EOS-4 in February. Can you briefly tell us what it takes to launch a satellite?
The launches of PSLV are a regular business for ISRO now. It happens in a clockwork precision by the teams, though it has its own challenges. The work across all the ISRO centers is to be coordinated, quality of each system to be ensured and launch campaign must be efficiently conducted. Each spacecraft is unique, including EOS-04. The user participation and ensuring the utilization of satellite data after the launch is be ensured by establishing data reception and processing infrastructure. The launch of each satellite is a big team work involving thousands of people having specialization in many domains.
India is one among the leaders of space research in the world along with the United States, China, Russia, European Union, etc. Is India doing enough in the area of space research to keep its place as a space research leader?
What we do is what is needed for this country. We carry out the demand aggregation in remote sensing or earth observation area, satellite communication and other services from all governmental agencies, departments, ministries and private users. We also interact with the science community of this country form all laboratories and identify unique space science missions and engineer them.
The space mission we conduct are for the users of this country. We also do innovative developments in all these areas and showcase to the users to create applications such as climate and weather, disaster management etc. We support the strategic users for meeting their requirements as well.
In this process we do not compete with any other nations and do no compare on the volume of work with others.
There no ‘Enough”, when we address the tasks left out. More can be done in all domains to develop new capabilities such as building space stations, more planetary explorations, building bigger and powerful rockets etc. All these are within our technological reach. But we have to understand that this is a government funded program and there is a limit we can earmark for space sector. More share will be allocated for applications and programs that benefit the governance of the country and for specific needs. We have to keep allocating only a smaller pie for all those advanced science missions and technologies, though it has its significance when we chalk out a long-term plan for a stronger, powerful and prosperous nation.
We in ISRO continue to work on all frontiers of advanced technologies in space sector, with a minimal investmentand resource allocation. We can always scale up and achieve global levels when needed for the nation.
What are the new developments in the area of space research? How will it impact the life of the world?
If we are discussing the global space arena, then there are many areas. In the domain of communication, space will continue to the backbone of the network with direct to device communication having high data rate connectivity. The availability of space-based timing and location services coupled with data services will thrive in the near future. Secured communication network will be accomplished. Governance, resource utilization, planning, disaster mitigation, weather and climate will be supported by space programs only.
Human beings will travel to moon and mars regularly in about 10 to 20 years. There will be space-based manufacturing of materials, medicines and human organs. Space tourism will be regular activity. The affordability and accessibility of space-based services will improve. The economy associated with space sector will reach 5 to 6 times of the present value in next 20 years. People and governments will realize that the safety of human beings on earth and survivability of our species is determined by our capability in space technology. Systems to prevent asteroid strike on earth will be established. All wars,if waged,will be through space and cyber technology only.
Sir, it is curious to note that you were born in the same year as the year when India’s space research was born, in 1963. Today you are in charge of India’s space research programme. Your thoughts on this interesting coincidence.
This is just a coincidence in time line. I am fortunate to be part of ISRO and this great journey of our country in space technology and capability development.
ISRO makes every Indian proud and dream big. What are your dreams for space research and for India as a nation?
My dream about India is much bigger than that I have on space research. This one nation will stand apart as the future of the humanity. A nation having the potential to grow with empowered people to change the face of the world leading to peace, prosperity and survivability of all. If this has to happen, India has to be country which is most sought after to live happily. This is possible only when we are technologically superior compared to all others. Strength to handle affairs of the world comes through technological superiority only. Human knowledge has to be created and learning be thriving here as in Nalanda-Takshasila days. We have to work in all domains of technology and develop capability through systematic revamping of our education system, research establishments, industrial eco-systems and following sustainable practices. Space technology development is an integral part of this process as described in an earlier answer. We believe that the accomplishments of Indian Space Program are an example that we can achieve all these goals if we passionately chase them with the support of the inspired leadership, supportive governments and political systems and public at large.
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