He pointed out that while asteroids pose a potential danger to Earth, they also offer valuable opportunities for scientific exploration. He noted that studying asteroids could provide insights into the formation of the universe and the origins of life on Earth.
Somanath expressed India’s interest in participating in global asteroid research and defence initiatives. He suggested that Isro could contribute to upcoming international missions, such as the one planned to study the asteroid Apophis in 2029. He proposed that India could provide instruments or other support to joint missions led by space agencies like NASA, ESA, and JAXA. Highlighting India’s growing capabilities in space exploration, Somanath cited recent achievements such as the Chandrayaan-3 and the Aditya-L1 solar observatory missions. He specifically mentioned the successful placement of Aditya-L1 in its halo orbit around the Lagrange point L1, demonstrating India’s ability to execute complex space manoeuvres.
He said these accomplishments showcase India’s readiness to take on more challenging missions, including potential asteroid exploration.