Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman K. Sivan addresses a press conference following the successful launch of earth observation satellite HysIS, along with 30 co-passenger satellites from eight countries, in Sriharikota on November 29, 2018.   | Photo Credit: PTI

The Indian Space Research Organisation wants to make the ambitious manned mission Gaganyaan “more and more” indigenous by utilising the facilities available in the country, ISRO Chairman K. Sivan said here on Thursday.

Addressing a press conference after successfully launching ISRO’s earth observation satellite HysIS and 30 other co-passengers into their designated orbits, Mr. Sivan, however, said the space agency may have to take outside help for some tests. HysIS means Hyper Spectral Imaging Satellite.

“In order to meet the Prime Minister’s (Narendra Modi) vision (of sending humans to space) by 2022, to undertake some testing we may go abroad. But we have not decided that,” he added.

The space agency is aiming to undertake the first unmanned programme under the Gaganyaan project by December 2020. If Gaganyaan is successful, India would become the fourth nation to achieve the feat.

On the future launches planned by ISRO, he said, “For next year, we have plans to undertake almost 12-14 missions.”

“GSAT-11, we are having in December. Next GSAT-7A is there. In January, we are having a micro-satellite launch, then Chandrayaan-II mission is also there,” he said.

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