BENGALURU: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman V Narayanan on Friday said the first of the two uncrewed Gaganyaan missions carrying two half-humanoids will launch in December 2025 and the first crewed mission in the first quarter of the year 2027. The launch dates will be announced after discussion with the Prime Minister, he said, adding that 80-85% of work for the successful launch of the Gaganyaan mission had been completed.
The exposure and experience which Gaganyatri and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla got during the recently conducted Axiom-4 mission is being utilized to the optimum, Narayanan said, adding that his understanding and expertise in algorithms, machines and human interface has proved helpful. “ISRO is confident of the mission.”
The crewed Gaganyaan mission will involve sending three astronauts into a 400 km Low Earth Orbit for up to three days before safely returning them to Earth via a splashdown landing. The mission will demonstrate India’s capability for human spaceflight, develop critical technologies like a human-rated rocket and life support systems.
The mission with the half-humanoids includes prior unmanned test missions with a humanoid robot named Vitra. A key aspect is the Crew Escape System (CES), which ensures the crew’s safety in case of an abort during launch.
Apart from Shukla, Group Captains Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair (who was the reserve astronaut for Axiom-4 Space mission), Angad Pratap and Ajit Krishnan are the other three Gaganyatris, from which three would be on the manned Gaganyaan mission. He said ISRO is working on multiple projects and not just focusing on Gaganyaan.
However, a large focus is being given on the safety and security of the spacecraft, astronauts in space and advanced space technologies. “We are working on many other missions, commercial operations and technologies to make lives of people easier in multiple fields including communication, food security, railways, defence, telemedicine, technology, television,” said Narayanan.