Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman S. Somanath revealed that experts from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) expressed a keen interest in forging a technological partnership with India after witnessing the remarkable progress made in the development of the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft. During an address to students at an event organized by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s Foundation in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, Somanath emphasized India’s increasing prowess in space technology.
Somanath spoke of India’s evolving capabilities, noting that the country is now capable of constructing cutting-edge devices and rockets. He attributed this shift in part to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to open the space sector to private entities. He conveyed his belief in the exceptional knowledge and intelligence resources within India, affirming that the nation ranks among the world’s best.
The interaction with NASA-JPL experts occurred during the development phase of Chandrayaan-3, and Somanath elaborated on the detailed explanations provided to them. He revealed that the NASA experts were not only impressed by the spacecraft’s design but were also intrigued by the cost-effectiveness of the scientific instruments developed for the mission. In fact, they raised the possibility of India selling these instruments to the United States.
Somanath further illustrated how India’s space capabilities have evolved, underlining the emergence of multiple private companies engaged in rocket and satellite development. He appealed to the young audience to embrace the visionary spirit of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, emphasizing the importance of dreaming and nurturing a collective aspiration for India to excel in space technology.
During the address, Somanath also shared a memorable moment when he declared India’s presence on the Moon after Chandrayaan-3’s successful landing and hinted at the prospect of sending an Indian, possibly a female astronaut, to the Moon in a future mission, evoking applause from the students.
In conclusion, Somanath articulated a vision for India to regain its position as a technology and economic powerhouse, stressing that a strong technological foundation is key to earning global respect and influence. He expressed optimism about India’s resurgence on the world stage in the coming decades.
