India plans unmanned mission and is studying technical challenges in manned mission to far out in space

India has planned an unmanned scientific mission to moon called Chandayan-I which is scheduled for launch in 2007-08, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Prithviraj Chavan informed the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament) on Thursday [8 December].

In a written reply, Chavan said Chandrayan-I spacecraft is scheduled for launch by India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle during 2007-08.

To another question, Chavan said the Indian Space Research Organization is conducting preliminary studies to understand the technological challenges involved in undertaking manned mission to space.

These studies, he said include design of suitable space capsule to carry astronauts, life support systems, thermal management, issues related with re-entry and training facilities for the astronauts.

However, at present there is no proposal seeking approval to send humans to space.

Source: India Daily, Technology Team,
Dec. 8, 2005