Relieved that there’s no mistake this time: Scientist JN Goswami

GUWAHATI: Renowned astrophysicist, principal scientist of Chandrayaan-1 Mission and chairman of the advisory board of Chandrayaan-2 Mission, Jitendra Nath Goswami, was relieved to see the Chandrayaan-3 landing on moon without a glitch.

“My first reaction is a sense of relief that this time there is no mistake. After that there is happiness that we have proved ourselves once again in developing new technologies,” Goswami, who hails from Assam, told TOI on the phone soon after the success of the country’s ambitious moon mission.

Known as the Moon Man for his associations with space missions, Goswami said there is a very thin line between success and failure in such endeavours. “Though I was sure of success this time, but till it happens one cannot say anything,” he added.

ISRO has already prepared a road map for future space programmes, he said, “Aditya Mission is the next important one coming up. I am eagerly waiting for it as I started my research career with the study of the origin and evolution of the solar system.”

Though ISRO has been in touch with Goswami for Chandrayaan-3 reviews as well, he has not been able to actively participate in the latest mission on health grounds, his family said.

Goswami and his wife, Nandita, a retired faculty of Gujarat University, viewed the live streaming of the Chandrayaan-3 landing on Doordarshan from their home in Ahmedabad.

An elated Goswami said ISRO scientists have always been committed and the success of Chandrayaan-3 will boost the confidence of other countries.

“The timing and calculation of landing has been so precise today and with Indian scientists leading the mission with indigenous technology, it’s commendable,” he said.


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