ISRO Chairman to Address the Country, Announcements Regarding Future Space Programs Expected

ISRO has just announced that its Chairman and Department of Space Secretary Dr K Sivan will be addressing the nation tomorrow at around 11:30 am. “Secretary, DOS/Chairman, ISRO will be addressing tomorrow (Wednesday, June 24, 2020) at 11:30 am tentatively. Live streaming available on our Website, Facebook, Twitter and Youtube,” said the official handle of the Indian Space Research Organisation without revealing anything else.

While not much is known about the announcement, it is expected to be centered on the future missions that the organisation is expected to undertake. Prior to the lockdown in March 2020, Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space had said that ISRO had planned 36 missions including satellites and launch vehicles for the fiscal year 2020-21.

The details of the missions ISRO had planned are as follows:

• Earth observation satellite - 10
• Communication satellite - 3
• Navigation satellite - 2
• Space science satellite - 3
• Technology Demonstration - 1
• PSLV - 10
• GSLV MK II - 3
• GSLV MK III - 1
• Small Satellite Launch Vehicle - 2
• Gaganyaan ( Unmanned) - 1

However, after the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, there have been no major announcements from the Indian Space Research Organisation apart from the government allowing private sector will to use ISRO facilities and other relevant assets to improve their capacities. Private companies to be provided level playing field in satellites, launches and space-based services. Future projects for planetary exploration, outer space travel will be open for the private sector, the government had said.

On the Gaganyaan mission, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the selection of the astronauts was accomplished and their training in Russia had also started but got interrupted because of the Corona pandemic. Earlier this month, the minister had said the project would be followed up soon. That said, it can only be confirmed tomorrow if ISRO Chairman’s address will be pertaining to the above-mentioned points.

Where to Watch ISRO Chairman Address Live

Those interested to watch ISRO Chairman’s address live need to log on to ISRO’s official website, Twitter, YouTube or " target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook pages tomorrow at 11:30 am.

Update: "Due to unavoidable circumstances, the address of Secretary, DOS/Chairman, ISRO is postponed for today and it is rescheduled at 10:30 a.m IST on Thursday June 25, 2020 Live streaming will be available on our website and social media platforms," tweeted ISRO.