ISRO Planning "Next Generation" Astronomy Satellite, Says Top Space Agency Official

ISRO's first mission dedicated for the purpose of astronomy, AstroSat, launched on September 28, 2015 with its design life of five years. It is still functional, and has made some significant discoveries.

The Indian Space Research Organisation is exploring the possibility of developing a next-generation astronomy satellite, a top official from the space agency has indicated.

ISRO's first mission dedicated for the purpose of astronomy, AstroSat, launched on September 28, 2015 with its design life of five years. It is still functional.

"It (AstroSat) is expected to last some more years", AS Kiran Kumar who as the then Chairman of ISRO led the mission team, and is presently serving as the chair of the top science committee at the space agency, told news agency Press Trust of India. "We can expect some more results to come which will be path-breaking".

Asked about the possibility of ISRO launching AstroSat-2, he said: "Not AstroSat-2. Next generation...thinking is going on...depending on how planning happens...follow-on to this (AstroSat) in a different manner are being looked at".