Exuding confidence that India's space programme will soar fresh heights under new ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan, its outgoing chairman G Madhavan Nair on Monday said. His successor will be able to carry forward the agency's plans, including the most challenging manned moon mission to space.

"He (Radhakrishnan) is a talented and highly competent scientist. He knows things as he has been there in ISRO for 35 years. He will be able to carry forward our plans. We have drawn up plans for 2020-25," Mr. Nair told reporters at the airport here in the presence of Radhakrishnan.

Mr. Radhakrishnan, Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre here, has been appointed the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in Bangalore. He will succeed Mr. Nair, who is retiring at the end of this month.

"A major challenge before ISRO is the manned mission (to space). We have to gear up for that," Mr. Nair said.

Mr. Nair, who headed the space agency during a crucial period marked by big achievements, including India's maiden moon mission Chandrayaan-I, said the surge of ISRO was like a relay race and the baton was now being handed over to his successor.

"There was Vikram Sarabhai... then Rao...Kasturi Rangan... all eminent scientists. Now I am handing over the baton to Radhakrishnan," he said.

Asked about his retirement plans, Mr. Nair said, "A scientist never retires. Some projects will come by my way. I will work on them."