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Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman S Somanath has expressed his wish for increased female representation in the nation’s space missions. He said this desire echoes the sentiments of the nation, including that of the Prime Minister.
As per PTI report , During an event at the Pournami Kavu temple in Thiruvananthapuram, where Somanath initiated children into the world of letters as part of the Vidyarambam ceremony on Vijayadasami, he shared his expectation of seeing more female astronauts in ISRO’s ambitious Gaganyaan mission.
Somanath clarified that as astronauts had already been selected and trained, participation of women won’t be feasible in Gaganyaan’s inaugural mission, which aims to send humans to space and bring them back safely to Earth.
However, he expressed optimism of greater female involvement in future Gaganyaan missions.
“More women astronauts in space missions is part of my wish list, and I only echoed the voice of the nation, including that of the Prime Minister,” he told PTI.
On Sunday, the ISRO chairman had said the space agency prefers woman fighter test pilots or female scientists for its much-awaited human space flight programme-Gaganyaan- and it is possible to send them in future.
He had also said ISRO would send a female humanoid – a robot that resembles a human – on its unmanned Gaganyaan spacecraft next year.
The ambitious mission aims to send humans into space on a Low Earth Orbit of 400 km for three days and bring them safely back to Earth.
“No doubt about it…but we have to find out such possible (women) candidates in the future,” Somanath told PTI over phone in response to a query.
Acknowledging his spiritual inclination, the ISRO Chairman engaged in prayers on Vijayadasami day.
After completing his prayers at the temple Somanath sat down for more than 30 minutes to help toddlers write their first letters to mark the beginning of their education.
