Will have many more launches, 2024 the year of Mission Gaganyaan: ISRO chairperson S Somanath

In a groundbreaking start to the new year, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved a significant milestone with the successful launch of its inaugural X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite. This cutting-edge satellite is poised to provide valuable insights into celestial phenomena, particularly black holes. ISRO’s chairperson, S Somanath, lauded the accomplishment and revealed ambitious plans for multiple launches throughout the year.

Addressing the media after the successful mission on January 1, 2024, Somanath declared, “Yet another successful mission of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) has been achieved. PSLV-C58 has flawlessly positioned the primary satellite, XPoSat, into its designated orbit at 650 km with a 6-degree inclination.”

VIDEO | “The new year has begun with the launch of the PSLV, and we will have an exciting time ahead,” says ISRO chairperson S Somanath on launch of space agency’s maiden X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite.

(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/B2BasVn04z

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 1, 2024

Emphasizing the significance of the event, the ISRO chief stated, “The commencement of the new year witnessed the triumphant launch of PSLV, setting the stage for an exhilarating journey ahead.”

During his address, Somanath also revealed that the launch of the XPoSat satellite has crossed all parameters that would deem it a success. “The orbit of the PSLV 4-stage will be reduced to a lower orbit, after which the POEM module will carry out its experiments with its onboard payloads…It also shows excellent orbit. The deviations from the targetted orbit are hardly 3 kilometres in a circular orbit of 650 kilometres, and the inclination is of 001 degree, which is an excellent orbital condition.”

The solar panels of the satellite has also been deployed, informed the Chairman.

VIDEO | “This year has just begun, and we will have many more launches. Besides, 2024 is going to be the year of Mission Gaganyaan,” says ISRO chairperson S Somanath.

(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/QQHuyKr11M

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 1, 2024

Highlighting the organization’s forward-looking approach, Somanath expressed, “This year has just begun, and we will have many more launches. Besides, 2024 is going to be the year of Mission Gaganyaan,” he added. promising further advancements in our space exploration endeavours.”

“As you already know, we successfully completed our TVD-1 mission last year. This year, we are expecting two more such test flights of the test vehicle, followed by the unmanned missions of the Gaganyaan programme,” he added.

(With inputs from agencies)