The Next Target Is Venus

There is a wall of shelves in K. Sivan’s office, stacked with polished gleaming models of rockets and satellites the Indian Space Research Organisation has launched

- Rekha Dixit

With the number of launches having increased in recent years, the shelves are only able to display the most recent ones. If the shelves are indicators of ISRO’s growth, two wall paintings are a reminder of its humble beginnings. One shows a rocket being transported by bullock cart, another is the iconic image of a rocket being taken on a bicycle.

The chairman is no different. He is a son of the soil who rose to be known as Rocket Man, because of his work with the cryogenic engine technology. Ahead of the launch of Chandrayaan-2, Sivan spoke to THE WEEK about exciting days ahead. Excerpts:

Q/ ISRO missions are getting very ambitious, and the world is watching. Does the fear of failing worry you?

A/ I began my tenure with a failure (a GSLV Mk-II launch in March 2018, when ISRO lost contact with its satellite, the GSAT-6A). Our failure rates are very low because we have well-defined systems. Our system hinges on teamwork and an excellent review mechanism. We work with passion here.

The design margin for space systems is so low that the difference between success and failure is only a hairline. In rocket systems, there are known knowns, known unknowns and unknown unknowns. In some places, we know there will be uncertainty, so we build in extra margin. In some places, it is difficult to identify whether there can be error. This holds true for all space agencies. Recently, Russia had a failed launch and the cosmonauts made an emergency exit. There is always some unlucky time.

Q/ You say unlucky. Is there luck in rocket science?