There is no space program possible without electronics and Nanotechnology plays a very important and significant role in in space explorations. The ISRO has taken multiple initiatives for Atmanirbharatha in Electronics and Sensors and is also exploring potential research for the application of Nanotechnology in Space including developing space suits and Nanosensors. These observations were made by the ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan during the Nano Electronics Roadshow at IISc in Bengaluru.

He said Nanotechnology can be very well used especially in human space flight missions by developing space suits and by developing environmental control and life support systems and energy harvesting with Nanogenerators. He said that Nanotechnology can also be used in developing multi-function nanostructures including radiation protection, thermal protection and energy harvesting.

Narayanan claimed that ISRO had undertaken many initiatives for developing indigenous onboard computers and control electronics such as replacing imported processors by designing and making VIKRAM1601 and VIKRAM3201 in India.

He said most of the ISRO missions were on track and the first uncrewed mission for the Gaganyaan mission will be launched later this year. The work had already started on other missions such as Chandrayaan-4 and the establishment of the space station in 2035, he added.

According to Narayanan, India which was a late starter in the space programmes has now become self-reliant in space technology and has launched around 433 satellites of 34 countries from its soil and successfully put into orbit. He remarked that now ISRO had even donated a satellite to the SAARC countries.

He further remarked that docking and undocking which was successfully achieved was not a very easy task to have been accomplished as it had to be done at great speed and proper synchronization and coordination were required for it. Narayanan said that it would be an endeavour to work for self-reliance and towards achieving Atmanirbharatha in space technology. 

India had developed the C32 cryogenic propulsion system, as cryogenic technology was denied to India by other countries, said the ISRO chief. Today, India has developed three cryogenic stages.

Narayanan also spoke about how India is successfully working towards developing a reusable next-generation launch vehicle which is also a great achievement for ISRO. The Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) is a family of three-stage partially reusable Medium to Super heavy-lift launch vehicle, currently under development by the ISRO. The family of these vehicles are designed to replace currently operational systems like PSLV and GSLV.