Gaganyaan launch slated for first quarter of 2027: ISRO chief

India’s maiden human space flight, Gaganyaan, will now be launched in the first quarter of 2027. However, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman V Narayanan said the first uncrewed mission of the Gaganyaan project would be launched in the fourth quarter of this year followed by two more uncrewed missions in 2026.

Vyommitra, a humanoid robot developed by ISRO, will be sent to space as part of the uncrewed mission before sending astronauts to low-Earth orbit. For the first uncrewed mission, the ground support system and propulsion systems are ready.

The human-rated LVM3 vehicle, the crew escape system, and the crew module and service module are all undergoing final stages of testing and integration.

“An orbital module is developed in which humans will be taken safely to the orbit. Crew escape is being developed so that if anything happens to the vehicle the crew has to be brought back safely. Environmental Control and Life Support System is a new system which will ensure correct temperature, cabin pressure, humidity, temperature, and air quality is being developed,” Narayanan said.

The ISRO chief said 90 per cent development works of environmental control and life support systems are completed. Flight suits, space food and crew seats are also in the final stage of development.

The ISRO chief said over 7,200 tests have been completed which include structural, acoustic, environment, engine hot tests.

“We have built a new rocket called a test vehicle to simulate the demonstration. When the flight goes in different phases and anything happens we need to save the crew. So simulating this situation this new rocket was developed. For demonstrating parachute deployment we are developing a new vehicle called Sub-Orbital Launch Vehicle for Experiments (SOLVE). This will be ready in a month,” Narayanan said.

“Astronauts are undergoing the final phase of training. We have to accomplish three uncrewed missions before targeting the actual crew mission because human lives are involved. First uncrewed mission is targeted in the fourth quarter of this year and first crewed mission is targeted in the first quarter of 2027,” Narayanan said.

The feedback from Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma (retd), the first Indian to go into space experience has also been taken for Gaganyaan programme.

“Four Indian Air Force pilots, selected as astronaut-designates, have completed training in Russia and are undergoing further mission-specific training in India. Their health, psychological fitness, and simulation-based operational readiness are being continuously assessed at India’s astronaut training facility,” Narayanan added.

Union minister Jitendra Singh said that missions have equal and critical participation of naval forces. Once crew module touches down in the sea at the end of the mission, crew have to be recovered in the minimum possible time and with the least discomfort.

“Sending human beings into space is very romantic and carries charisma but equally important is to get them back. We are making strides in the space economy, all due to the opening up of the space economy to the private sector. Our missions are just one fourth the cost of the corresponding missions by others,” Singh said.

India