The Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight Programme is India’s flagship effort to send its own astronauts—known as vyomanauts (from the Sanskrit word vyom, meaning sky)—into space aboard an indigenous spacecraft. Managed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the program represents a major step in India’s evolution from a satellite-launching power to a nation capable of human spaceflight.
History & Evolution
The program was formally announced in 2018, with the goal of launching a three-member crew into low Earth orbit (LEO) on a mission lasting up to seven days. At its core is the Gaganyaan spacecraft, a fully Indian-designed orbital vehicle consisting of a crew module and a service module.
The crew module is built to ensure astronaut safety, equipped with life-support systems, avionics, and reentry protection. The spacecraft will be launched atop a modified version of ISRO’s GSLV Mk III rocket, renamed Human Rated LVM3 (HLVM3) for this mission, designed to meet the rigorous safety and redundancy requirements of crewed flight.
Safety testing has been central to the program. ISRO has developed Crew Escape Systems and has already conducted pad abort and inflight abort tests to validate astronaut safety in case of launch emergencies. Training for astronauts is underway, with four Indian Air Force pilots selected and receiving specialized instruction in Russia and India. Their preparation includes survival training, space medicine, orbital mechanics, and the operation of spacecraft systems.
Other Mission Objectives
The program also encompasses a wide range of scientific and technological goals. In addition to demonstrating India’s ability to carry humans into space, Gaganyaan will serve as a platform for microgravity research, biomedical studies, and experiments crucial for long-duration space missions. It also aims to inspire the development of future projects, including a possible Indian space station in the 2030s.
Timeline of Gaganyaan
2004–2006 – Early Studies
ISRO began feasibility studies on human spaceflight, exploring spacecraft design and crew safety systems.
2007 – Formal Proposal
A preliminary human spaceflight plan was presented to the Indian government, envisioning a two-astronaut mission into low Earth orbit.
2018 – Official Approval
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Gaganyaan during Independence Day celebrations. The government formally approved the program, allocating ₹10,000 crore (~$1.3 billion USD).
2019 – Crew Selection
Four Indian Air Force test pilots were shortlisted as astronaut candidates. They began training in Russia, focusing on survival skills, space medicine, and spacecraft operations.
2020 – Pad Abort Test
ISRO successfully conducted a Pad Abort Test, validating the Crew Escape System, designed to pull astronauts away to safety during launch emergencies.
2020–2021 – COVID-19 Delays
The program experienced delays in hardware development, testing, and astronaut training due to the global pandemic.
2022 – Uncrewed Test Preparations
Development of the Human-Rated LVM3 rocket advanced, along with the Gaganyaan crew and service modules. ISRO began building life support and reentry systems.
2023 – Vyommitra Announcement
ISRO unveiled Vyommitra, a humanoid female robot, to be flown on early uncrewed missions to simulate astronaut presence and test life support.
2024–2025 – Planned Uncrewed Flights
Two uncrewed test missions are scheduled to validate the spacecraft’s safety, life-support systems, and reentry capabilities. These will carry payloads including Vyommitra and scientific experiments.
2025–2026 – Crewed Mission (Planned)
If tests are successful, ISRO aims to send a crew of up to three astronauts into low Earth orbit (300–400 km) for about 7 days, making India the fourth nation to independently conduct human spaceflight.
2030s – Beyond Gaganyaan
Long-term goals include establishing an Indian Space Station, expanding capabilities for interplanetary missions, and contributing to international human spaceflight efforts.
History & Evolution
While the program has faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and technical challenges, the first uncrewed test flights are expected in the near future, followed by the crewed mission, which will make India the fourth country in the world to independently send humans into space, after Russia, the United States, and China.
