Mars exploration: Search for alien life would be the next step, says ISRO chief

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman AS Kiran Kumar has said that the next step in terms of Mars exploration would be to look for alien life or signs of life. He also said that the resources that could support human habitation need to be investigated.

On future of Mars exploration, he said, "The next step would be to search for signs of life and investigate resources that could support human habitation."

"We need to develop capabilities by solving problems going into deep space also. We need to remain relevant and need to solve issues differently. The world is changing very fast and private entrepreneurs are entering the segment," he said.

Kumar was speaking at an inaugural talk at Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) on Wednesday.

He said that ISRO is currently in the process to build reusable launch vehicles. He also said that new technologies for interplanetary missions is also in the works.

Kumar said that this has been done in an effort to reduce the cost incurred in the launch of vehicles.

"We are also on the lookout for equipping with capabilities to carry objects in multiple launches than single launches. We want to reduce cost of access and hence are building reusable launch vehicles," Kumar said.

A three-day brainstorming session on 'Vision and Explorations for Planetary Sciences in Decades 2020-2060' has been organised by PRL to provide a forum for planetary researchers and academicians. They can discuss, explore and present the latest trends, promote understanding and exchange results and opinions in the area of planetary sciences and explorations.

Many newer institutions are setting up an astronomy department in their institutes. One of the IITs has even roped in NASA scientists for their astronomy department.

What is Reusable Launch Vehicle?

A reusable launch vehicle or RLV is a launch system intended to allow for recovery of all or part of its components for later reuse. This contrasts with expendable launch systems, where each launch vehicle is launched once and then discarded. To date, no 100 per cent reusable orbital launch system has ever been created.

Also read: NASA's 2020 Mars Mission to have 23 'eyes' to study atmosphere of red planet

The first major attempt at a RLV was the NASA developed Space Shuttle.

Also read: Video | Aliens living on Mars breathe CO2, claims Russian youth; says he lived on Mars, killed in a war then born on Earth

Life on Mars: Life on Mars has been a topic of discussion among the researchers, conspiracy theorists and space enthusiasts.  Conspiracy theorists have time and again made claims of presence of alien life on Mars.

Live feed from NASA’s International Space Station (ISS) too has shown suspicious UFO-like objects hovering around several times. However, no solid proof on the presence of alien life has been found yet.