Space 2006: First step towards manned mission, Scramjet

Bangalore, Dec 27 (UNI) Pathbreaking achievements and pitfalls marked the Indian space endeavours in 2006, with the country taking the first step towards a manned mission and successfully testing the cryogenic engine upper stage but losing INSAT 4C due to the failure of the Geosynychronous satellite launch vehicle--GSLV F2.

A defective regulator in one of the booster motors of GSLV F2 sent the space scientists into gloom on July ten when the GSLV F2 disintegrated in midair 56 seconds after launch and plunged into the Bay of Bengal.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman G Madhavan Nair, commenting on the year 2006, told UNI, ''the year was eventful for ISRO in that we made further forays in mastering advanced technologies like ground testing of our indigenous cryogenic stage for GSLV and demonstrating Supersonic Combustion Ramjet (SCRAMJET)'' adding ''Of course, we had a setback in 2006 when the fourth flight of our GSLV in July did not succeed in its mission''.

Mr Nair said ISRO also made substantial progress in realising GSLV-Mk III.

''Our Chandrayaan-1 mission progressed well and an important event in this mission was ISRO signing MOU with NASA to include two of their instruments on board this spacecraft. We have also conducted studies on more challenging missions and we had discussions with Indian scientists on manned space mission,'' he said.

Looking ahead, Mr Nair said that in the coming year, ISRO would continue to look for many more challenges.

''We will double the number of missions, make further progress in technologies towards realising heavy lift launch vehicles, reusable launch vehicle and air breathing technologies to reduce the cost of access to space'' he added.

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