Article Posted on : - Sep 06, 2010

The spaceship for the programme would be launched by India's GSLV-Mk II launcher

NEW DELHI (BNS):  US aerospace major Boeing is keen to be part of ISRO's human space flight programme by contributing its technological know-how, a media report said Monday.

Vice-president and India country head, Boeing Defense, Space and Security, Dr Vivek Lall said Boeing has initiated discussions with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to offer support to the agency’s human space flight programme, The Times of India, said.

"With our legacy in space exploration design, development and integration, we believe we can provide value-added assistance to India's national programme," Dr Lall was quoted as saying.

The manned space programme will include construction of a crew vehicle to the International Space Station (ISS), journey to the station and re-entry into earth's atmosphere - the most crucial aspect of the project.

The programme will open the door for collaboration between Boeing and ISRO in areas of commercial crew transportation, Dr Lall said, adding, the company plans to submit a formal request to the US Department of State in this regard.

The Human Space Flight project would be executed in two phases. In the first phase, an unmanned flight would be launched in 2013-14 and the second stage in 2014-15 would be a two-man mission, according to reports.