India's first unmanned moon mission, Chandrayan-1 is a success and history has been written on October 22. Amidst joy and pride, the Indian Space Research Organisation is already looking forward to the year 2015 when it plans on having India's first manned space flight.
Chandrayaan-1 lifts off successfully
ISRO Chairman Madhavan Nair, who was beaming with pride, told a crowded press conference three hours after the launch of Chandrayan-1 that they were planning on sending two humans into space (low earth orbit).
At present, they are devising a capsule to ensure that this project is a success.
Coverage: India's Moon Mission
This is a bit challenging, Nair said, adding that ISRO had already prepared a project report and hoped that this mission became a reality by 2015.
The ISRO chairman further added a new facility will be set up to undertake the manned mission.
Apart from a training centre in Bangalore, a new launch pad in Shriharikota will also be set up, he added.
The space agency will use the GSLV to undertake the manned space flight, Nair said, adding that the rocket required design modification and that the tolerable failure rate should be 1 out of 100.
He said the natural next destination would be to mars and added that the GSLV was capable of carrying a spacecraft to Mars. ISRO is expected to undertake the mission to Mars by 2012.