CSIR-ISRO Space Meet organised to strengthen India’s preparedness for human spaceflight programme
In Bengaluru on Monday, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and India’s space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), kicked off the CSIR‑ISRO Space Meet 2025. The event, hosted by CSIR‑National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), aimed to bring scientists, researchers, engineers and astronauts together to plan the next steps for India’s human spaceflight ambitions.
Key messages from the top
Dr N. Kalaiselvi, CSIR Secretary and Director General, opened the program by stressing the agency’s role in boosting India’s space technology. She said the meeting would help share knowledge among experts from around the world and fill gaps in India’s space programme. “We are committed to home‑grown innovation and collaborative research,” she said, adding that the Ministry of Science and Technology, led by Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, supports these goals.
ISRO’s Dr V. Narayanan, Secretary of the Department of Space and Chairman, highlighted the Gaganyaan mission—a human spaceflight project that will rely on cooperation across ministries, universities, industry and partners. He outlined five priorities: next‑generation crew safety, advanced life‑support systems, improved scientific payloads, and the growth of India’s space research community. Narayanan also pointed to long‑term plans, including a crewed mission to the Moon, Mars exploration and an Indian Space Station.
Personal stories from astronauts
Group Captain Prasanth B. Nair, the first Indian astronaut trained by ISRO, shared his experience in astronaut training, microgravity simulations and emergency response plans. Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, India’s first astronaut and a Soyuz veteran, reflected on his 1984 mission and praised the aerospace work of NAL. Both astronauts emphasized that the human spaceflight programme is focused on peaceful exploration and people‑centred research.
Special sessions with global partners
The meet also featured talks from international experts. Dr Lucia Roccaro of the European Space Agency spoke on human spaceflight physiology, while Dr Akiko Otsuka of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency discussed joint research opportunities. Professor Pradipta Biswas of IISc highlighted human‑technology interaction and interface design for crewed missions.
A shared vision for India’s space future
At the conclusion, participants reaffirmed their commitment to merging science, technology and policy to advance India’s human spaceflight goals. They pledged to strengthen cooperation among research institutions and government agencies to help realise Viksit Bharat, a vision for a modern, innovative India, with the space sector playing a key role.
The CSIR‑ISRO Space Meet 2025 set the tone for the next decade of India’s space journey, spotlighting collaboration, technology development and the ambition to send Indians to the Moon, Mars and beyond.
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