"ISRO Chairman Declares Independence in Crafting Vital System for Gaganyaan Mission"

ISRO Chairman S Somanath, speaking at the Manohar Parrikar Vidnyan Mahotsav 2023, boldly declared ISRO's intent to independently engineer the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) for the forthcoming Gaganyaan mission. Acknowledging their historical focus on rockets and satellites, Somanath revealed the agency's initial lack of expertise in ECLSS development, expressing disappointment in the absence of international collaboration.

Despite seeking assistance globally, no nation was willing to share the crucial knowledge, prompting ISRO to embark on the challenge of crafting the system domestically. Somanath, at Dona Paula, stressed ISRO's commitment to indigenous development, leveraging existing knowledge and local industries. He outlined the challenges faced by the Gaganyaan program and emphasized the nation's dedication to skill-building and design enhancement, highlighting the need for heightened skill and confidence for the success of human space travel under the Gaganyaan initiative.