Somanath states that ISRO favors female fighter test pilots for its potential future manned missions.
ISRO’s chief, S. Somanath, has announced that the space agency favors the inclusion of female fighter test pilots and female scientists in the eagerly anticipated Gaganyaan mission, with plans to potentially send them on future missions.
Additionally, he announced that ISRO has plans to send a female humanoid, a robot designed to resemble a human, aboard the unmanned Gaganyaan spacecraft next year. This ambitious mission is set to launch humans into space on a Low Earth Orbit at 400 km for a three-day mission, ensuring their safe return to Earth.
Somanath, responding to a query from PTI, expressed certainty, saying, “No doubt about it… but we have to find such potential (women) candidates in the future.”
His statement followed ISRO’s successful launch of its TV-D1 test vehicle, a day ahead of the human space flight mission Gaganyaan.
He anticipates the manned mission to be realized by 2025, emphasizing its short duration.
“At present, the initial candidates are expected to come from Air Force fighter test pilots, which is a unique category. Currently, we do not have women fighter test pilots. So, when they become available, that could be one pathway,” explained the Chairman.
The second option arises when there is increased scientific activity,” he mentioned.
“In that scenario, scientists will take on the role of astronauts. So, I believe that more opportunities for women will emerge at that time. Currently, the opportunities are limited because there are no female fighter test pilots,” Somanath clarified.
When asked, he confirmed that ISRO’s objective is to establish a fully operational space station by 2035.
ISRO achieved a significant milestone by successfully launching the TV-D1 test vehicle in preparation for the Gaganyaan human space flight mission on Saturday.
Despite initial challenges and delays, the space agency effectively launched the test vehicle, which carried payloads related to India’s ambitious Gaganyaan program.
In a controlled simulation, scientists executed an abort scenario for the Crew Escape System, safely propelling the Crew Module of the test vehicle into a precise splashdown in the Bay of Bengal.
