The real work begins after liftoff: ISRO chief puts mission operations at center of space ambitions

BENGALURU: India’s space mission may grab headlines when it lifts off, but the real test begins only after the rocket goes silent. ISRO Chairman Narayanan said here on Wednesday that mission operations are a long, invisible phase that keeps satellites viable for many years and will determine the next phase of the country’s space ambitions.Speaking at the Spacecraft Mission Operations (SMOPs) conference, Narayanan stressed that while launches only last 15 to 25 minutes, spacecraft must operate reliably for years, sometimes up to 15 years. “Ensuring the spacecraft remains fully operational in orbit…continuously monitoring, simulating and directing operations. This is a very important area,” he said, putting mission operations at the center of future space efforts.Narayanan spoke at a time when ISRO is under fire for launch failures and project delays, especially given that the Indian space program is shifting from milestone-driven missions to sustained space activities. He pointed out three major achievements since the last SMOPs meeting: the successful space docking experiment, Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing and the Aditya-L1 solar mission.He described the docking experiment as particularly complex, involving the precise joining of two satellites moving at more than 15,000 kilometers per hour. “Any wrong order… you know what the end result is,” he said, stressing the risks involved.Onboard Chandrayaan-3, Narayanan praised the mission operations team for executing an autonomous landing sequence near the moon’s south pole. He also noted that India has joined the elite ranks with its Aditya-L1 solar research mission.The chairman emphasized that mission operations are not limited to a single team, but require the joint efforts of designers, software engineers and system experts. He called their role “very important” but often underappreciated.Narayanan said that going forward, technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and cloud-based ground systems will be critical. “Technology that was considered advanced 10 to 15 years ago is now a current need,” he said.He also placed the mission operations in the broader context of India’s expanding space ecosystem, pointing to the increasing participation of private players and start-ups. He said the private sector was contributing to technological capabilities and talent development.When it comes to human spaceflight, Narayanan called it “not just another activity” but an important step that requires sustained precision operations. He compared April 12, 1961, the date of the first manned space flight, noting that India was now preparing for its own manned space mission.As ISRO moves toward more complex missions, including the future Chandrayaan 4 and 5 projects and human spaceflight, Narayanan’s message is clear: Success will depend less on the spectacle of the launch and more on the operational discipline that follows.