ISRO targets to launch seven missions by March 2026: Chairman Narayanan
Sriharikota (PTI): ISRO has set a target to launch seven missions, including its ambitious first uncrewed mission under the Gangayaan programme, before the end of March 2026, Chairman V Narayanan said on Sunday.
The Bengaluru-headquartered space agency has planned to make three uncrewed missions before the crewed mission under the Gaganyaan programme, and the first uncrewed launch 'G1 Mission' is expected to happen by March 2026, he said.
"Our Gaganyaan programme is progressing well. It is in advanced stages. All hardware have arrived at Sriharikota and integration (of the hardware) is happening. We have planned three uncrewed mission. The first uncrewed mission, 'G1 Mission', is going to be achieved before the end of the current financial year," he said.
Narayanan was speaking to reporters after the successful launch of communication satellite CMS-03 onboard a LVM3-M05 rocket from this spaceport.
On the future mission programmes, Narayanan, who is also the Secretary, Department of Space, said seven missions have been planned before the end of March 2026.
He said this initiative was under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for ISRO to make 50 rocket launches over the next five year period.
"We have planned seven launches to take place before the end of this financial year. It is by March 2026," he said.
Giving some insights on the planned missions, he said after Sunday's LVM3-M05 launch, ISRO would undertake another LVM3 rocket launch which would carry a 'commercial communication satellite' for a client.
"After that, we have got three more PSLV missions. One is for NSIL customer satellite," he said.
NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL) is the commercial arm of the ISRO.
Narayanan said ISRO has also planned for another technology development mission PSLV-N1 targeted to be launched before the end of the current financial year.
"So many developments are taking place. We have also planned for a GSLV-F17 rocket mission before March 2026," he said.
Noting that ISRO has drawn up various missions by March 2026, he said, "I know it is not an easy job. It is a tough job. But I know that we will accomplish these activities (in future)."
"Team ISRO is geared up to meet the vision of the Prime Minister to launch 50 missions in the next 5 years," he added.
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Goa nightclub fire: Owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra fled to Phuket after tragedy, say police
Panaji (PTI): Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, the main accused and owners of the Goa nightclub where a massive blaze claimed 25 lives, fled to Phuket hours after the tragedy, Goa Police said on Monday.
"Goa Police have taken further steps to coordinate with the Interpol Division of the CBI to apprehend both Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra at the earliest," a senior police officer said.
A massive fire at the nightclub, some 25 kilometres away from Panaji, on late Saturday night killed 25 persons. The deceased comprised 20 employees of the nightclub and five tourists, including four from Delhi. Five injured people were undergoing treatment at the government-run Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
After registering an FIR against them, a Look Out Circular was issued against them by December 7 by the Bureau of Immigration (BOI) at the request of the Goa Police.
The Bureau of Immigration at Mumbai was contacted, and it was found that both the accused had taken the 6E 1073 flight to Phuket at 5.30 am on December 7, immediately after the fire incident, which occurred around midnight, the officer said.
READ ALSO: Goa nightclub fire: Owner Saurabh Luthra expresses grief, assures management support
He said the Goa Police had immediately dispatched a team to Delhi to conduct raids on the addresses of the accused Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra.
"Since they were not available, a notice under the appropriate sections of law was pasted on the gate of their house. This shows their intent to avoid the police investigation", he said.
Goa Police have obtained transit remand of Bharat Kohli, an employee of the club, and are bringing him to Goa.
He also said that the postmortem on all 25 deceased has been completed and bodies handed over to their families.
