MASSIVE: Prime Minister's 'Gaganyaan' project to launch an Indian into space by 2022 not impractical, says ISRO director. Read here

Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day made the big announcement about the Human Space Project (HSP) expected to be launched by 2022, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) director Kailasavadivoo Sivan spoke to media person providing further details of the project. 

While talking to media persons on Wednesday, Sivan said that it was a pleasant surprise by the honourable Prime Minister of India to make such an announcement. 

In his statement, Sivan clarified that the deadline was not impractical and that most of the technical work pertaining to the project has already been completed. He stated that it would be a nationalised project and that ISRO will not single-handedly proceed with it, rather many other institutions will be included too. 

"For eg. Institute of Aerospace Medicine will be a part of the project to assist with the astronaut's health, Indian Air Force will be included for training the astronaut in airborne situations, Indian Navy will lend a hand to train the team for the extraction process and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will certify the aircraft" he said. 

Sivan in his statement also stated that ISRO will not be using its manpower in manufacturing the spacecraft which will be given to external manufacturers for production.

The ISRO is developing all the technology required by the spacecraft bit by bit. According to Sivam, the Prime Minister, who was fully aware of all the advancements that were made pertaining to the HSP, had not given any deadline earlier and that the recent announcement was a good news. 

For the project, the ISRO has chosen the GSLV Mk III as its vehicle for the space transport. Before sending a human into space, the space agency stated that two unmanned missions will be sent in the next two years. 

The GSLV Mk III

Following the HSP, Sivan stated that other implementation such as space tourism and intercontinental transport could be possible. 

"People have been questioning that the GSLV Mk III has been launched only once till now. However, it should be noted that in the coming years we will launch more of the spacecraft which will let people gain some trust in it"

Sivan revealed that the HSP was the costliest project that the ISRO has ever undertaken. However, he also said that the activities had begun back in 2004 and that most of the major issues have already overcome which might reduce further cost drastically. The space agency has already successfully conducted crucial tests such as the Crew module for the spacecraft, the crew escape system as well as the flight chute system. 

"The target is not impractical as we do not have to start from zero" he said

Talking about further implementations of the HSP, Sivan hinted at the future use of the spacecraft for space tourism as well as intercontinental travel.