“Nowhere Less Than China”: ISRO Chief Hails Gaganyaan Mission, Launches Young Scientist Programme For Schoolkids

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief Dr K Sivan, on 18 January (Friday), said that India was “nowhere less than China”, and after the success of the Gaganyaan mission, India will be equal to its neighbour in all aspects related to the field.

“We are nowhere less than China,” Sivan said in response to a question comparing the two countries. “They had the human space capability, which we did not have, but once we have a successful Gaganyaan project by 2022, we will be equal to them in all aspects,” said Sivan, as reported by Indian Express.

Sivan also announced ‘Young Scientist Programme’ for schoolchildren, under which, 100 students, selected from all over India, will be provided with the practical experience of how satellites are built. The programme is fully funded by ISRO and is modelled after a similar programme by the American space agency, NASA.

“We want them to get a practical experience of building a small satellite. If the satellites are good, we want them to fly,” Sivan said, adding that six incubation centres will come up in all corners of the country. The students will be able to use these centres for research and development. First such centre has been established in Agartala, Tripura.