10 launches, Gaganyaan, Chandrayaan 'disturbed' due to lockdown: ISRO chief K Sivan

Ten missions being prepared for launch this year have been “disturbed” due to coronavirus-induced lockdown besides delay in human and Moon missions, ISRO chief K Sivan said on Wednesday.

Indian Research Organisation (ISRO) will make an assessment of impact of lockdown on its missions, he said. ISRO chief ded that ncy h planned 10 launches.   

“Because of this (pandemic), everything got disturbed. We have to make an assessment after COVID-19 issue is resolved,” Sivan told PTI.

“Gaganyaan will be impacted because of lockdown… all industries have t yet started functioning,” Sivan said, ding that in last few months, work on Mission h stopped.

ISRO is dependent on private sector for manufacturing equipment for its launch. Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) which provide equipment to ISRO are among worst-hit due to lockdown, coupled with migration of labourers.

“All our missions (including Chandrayaan-3) have been impacted,” he said. “We have to assess impact of lockdown on Gaganyaan,” Sivan ded. 

After hard landing of Chandrayaan-2 last year, ISRO h planned to launch Chandrayaan-3, which was scheduled to be launched later this year.

Gaganyaan, human mission, enviss to send three Indians to by 2022. four test pilots selected for this mission are currently undergoing training in Russia, but even that was impacted due to coronavirus lockdown in country.

(Photo Credit: PTI)