Real test begins after liftoff: ISRO Chief puts mission operations at centre of space ambitions

By R Anil Kumar

• Effective Mission Operations are crucial for the success of India’s growing Space program, especially for long duration missions

• ISRO actively integrating emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Cloud based systems to transform and enhance the efficiency of future mission operations

• International collaborations and Knowledge sharing as seen at the SMOPS Conferences are vital for advancing Spacecraft mission operations and fostering innovations in the Space sector

Bengaluru. India’s space missions may grab headlines at liftoff, but their real test begins only after the rocket falls silent. Mission operations, the long, invisible phase that keeps satellites alive for years, will define the next phase of the country’s space ambitions, ISRO Chairman V Narayanan said here on April 8, 2026.

Speaking at the Spacecraft Mission Operations (SMOPs) International Conference, Narayanan underlined that while launches last barely 15 to 25 minutes, spacecraft must function reliably for years, sometimes up to 15. “Ensuring that the spacecraft remains fully operational in orbit, continuous monitoring, simulations, and command operations. This is a very important domain,” he said, placing mission operations at the centre of future space efforts.

Narayanan spoke especially given that the Indian space programme is transitioning from milestone-driven missions to sustained space activity.

He pointed to three major achievements since the last SMOPs conference: the successful docking experiment in space, the Chandrayaan-3 Moon landing, and the Aditya-L1 solar mission.

The ISRO Chief described the docking experiment as particularly complex, involving two satellites moving at speeds exceeding 28,000 kmph being brought together with precision. “Any wrong command… you know what will be the end result,” he said, highlighting the risks involved.

On Chandrayaan-3, Narayanan credited the mission operations teams for executing an autonomous landing sequence near the Moon’s south pole. He also noted India’s entry into an elite group of nations with the Aditya-L1 mission to study the Sun.

The Chairman stressed that mission operations are not limited to a single team but involve designers, software engineers, and systems specialists working together. He called their role “very significant” and often under-recognised.

Looking ahead, Narayanan said technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud-based ground systems will become critical. “What was considered advanced 10 to 15 years ago is now the need of the hour,” he said.

He also placed mission operations within the broader context of India’s expanding space ecosystem, pointing to increased participation from private players and start-ups. Private companies are contributing to both technological capability and talent development, he said.

On human spaceflight, Narayanan described it as “not just another activity” but a major step requiring sustained operational precision. Drawing a parallel with April 12, 1961 — the date of the first human spaceflight — he noted that India is now preparing for its own crewed missions.

As ISRO moves towards more complex missions, including future Chandrayaan-4 and 5 projects and human spaceflight, Narayanan’s message was clear: success will depend less on the spectacle of launch and more on the discipline of operations that follow.