Real work begins after liftoff: Isro chief puts mission ops at centre of space ambitions

BENGALURU: India’s space missions may grab headlines at liftoff, but their real test begins only after the rocket falls silent. Mission operations, the long, invisible phase that keeps satellites alive for years, will define the next phase of the country’s space ambitions, Isro chairman V Narayanan said here on Wednesday.

Speaking at the Spacecraft Mission Operations (SMOPs) conference, Narayanan underlined that while launches last barely 15 to 25 minutes, spacecraft must function reliably for years, sometimes up to 15. “Ensuring that the spacecraft remains fully operational in orbit… continuous monitoring, simulations, and command operations. This is a very important domain,” he said, placing mission operations at the centre of future space efforts.

Narayanan spoke at a time Isro is reeling under launch failures and project delays that have come under criticism, especially given that the Indian space programme is transitioning from milestone-driven missions to sustained space activity.

He pointed to three major achievements since the last SMOPs conference: the successful docking experiment in space, the Chandrayaan-3 Moon landing, and the Aditya-L1 solar mission.

He described the docking experiment as particularly complex, involving two satellites moving at speeds exceeding 15,000 kmph being brought together with precision. “Any wrong command… you know what will be the end result,” he said, highlighting the risks involved.

On Chandrayaan-3, Narayanan credited the mission operations teams for executing an autonomous landing sequence near the Moon’s south pole. He also noted India’s entry into an elite group of nations with the Aditya-L1 mission to study the Sun.

The chairman stressed that mission operations are not limited to a single team but involve designers, software engineers, and systems specialists working together. He called their role “very significant” and often under-recognised.

Looking ahead, Narayanan said technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud-based ground systems will become critical. “What was considered advanced 10 to 15 years ago is now the need of the hour,” he said.

He also placed mission operations within the broader context of India’s expanding space ecosystem, pointing to increased participation from private players and start-ups. Private companies are contributing to both technological capability and talent development, he said.

On human spaceflight, a programme that has seen multiple timelines announced by the Centre and Isro slip, Narayanan described it as “not just another activity” but a major step requiring sustained operational precision. Drawing a parallel with April 12, 1961 — the date of the first human spaceflight — he noted that India is now preparing for its own crewed missions.

As Isro moves towards more complex missions, including future Chandrayaan-4 and 5 projects and human spaceflight, Narayanan’s message was clear: success will depend less on the spectacle of launch and more on the discipline of operations that follow.