21-Dec-2022: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh says, India’s maiden human space flight “Gaganyaan” is targeted to be launched in the fourth quarter of 2024

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today informed that India’s maiden human space flight ‘H1’ mission is targeted to be launched in the fourth quarter of 2024.

In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today, Dr Jitendra Singh said, in view of the paramount importance of crew safety, two Test Vehicle missions are planned before the ‘G1’ mission to demonstrate the performance of crew escape system and parachute-based deceleration system for different flight conditions.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, the uncrewed ‘G1’ mission is targeted to be launched in the last quarter of 2023 followed by the second uncrewed ‘G2’ mission in the second quarter of 2024, before the final human space flight ‘H1’ mission in the fourth quarter of 2024.

He said, the first uncrewed flight of Gaganyaan programme i.e., ‘G1’ mission is aimed at validating the performance of Human rated launch vehicle, Orbital module propulsion system, mission management, communication system and recovery operations. The mission will carry a humanoid as payload.

The Minister said, the astronaut designates for human space flight mission are identified and are currently undergoing their mission specific training at Bengaluru. First semester of Astronaut training has been completed wherein they have undergone course modules on Theoretical basics, Space medicine, Launch vehicles, spacecraft system and ground support infrastructure. Regular physical fitness sessions, aeromedical training and flying practice are also part of crew training. Corresponding evaluation and assessment activities have also been completed. The second semester of crew training is currently in progress.

23-Mar-2022: Mission Gaganyaan

The current status of Gaganyaan programme is as follows:

1. An Astronaut training facility has been commissioned in Bengaluru. Training activities are progressing well at the newly commissioned Astronaut training facility.
2. The design of all systems and sub-systems for Gaganyaan has been completed. Realisation of the same is in different stages of progress.
3. Long duration qualification test of human rated cryogenic engine and First phase testing of human rated VIKAS Engine completed. First phase of demonstration tests for Gaganyaan service module propulsion system completed.
4. Proof of concept demonstration for ground network with service providers completed. Construction of integration facility for Orbital module preparation is nearing completion.
5. The MoU, Contracts and Implementation Arrangements (IA) related activities with both national and international agencies are progressing well. The design of various human centric products has been completed and various prototypes are under realization.
6. Receipt of Gaganyaan deliverables against contracts with M/s. Glavkosmos (Russia) and CNES (France) commenced.
7. Roles and responsibility for crew recovery operations and rehearsals finalized. Detailed operational requirements for nominal missions scenarios worked out.
8. The activities related to development of microgravity experiments have commenced. The conceptual design for experiments is under review.

The government is encouraging the private sector and start-ups for various Gaganyaan activities such as hardware realization, components supply, health monitoring devices, Virtual reality simulators etc.

9-Dec-2021: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh says, India’s maiden human space mission “Gaganyaan” will be launched in 2023

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the India’s maiden human space mission “Gaganyaan” will be launched in 2023.

In reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today, the Minister said, with this launch, India will become the fourth nation in the world to launch a Human Spaceflight Mission after USA, Russia and China.

Dr Jitendra Singh said that the major missions viz., Test vehicle flight for the validation of Crew Escape System performance and the 1st Uncrewed mission of Gaganyaan (G1) are scheduled during the beginning of 2nd half of 2022. This will be followed by second uncrewed mission at the end of 2022 carrying “Vyommitra” a spacefaring human robot developed by ISRO and finally the first crewed Gaganyaan mission in 2023.

Referring to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day address in 2018, wherein he said that an Indian astronaut, be it a man or a woman, will go on a space odyssey by 2022 on board ‘Gaganyaan’, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the program got slightly delayed due to COVID restrictions, but preparations are now in full swing to achieve the mission by 2023. He said, the objective of Gaganyaan programme is to demonstrate the capability to send humans to low earth orbit (LEO) onboard on Indian Launch Vehicle and bring them back to earth safely.

Dr Jitendra Singh said that more than 500 Industries are involved in the launch of Gaganyaan with several research modules including indigenous health research module. He said, this was made possible as for the first time in 70 years, the sector has been unlocked for private participation to make India a competitive Space market. The Minister informed that this is the most ambitious space programme undertaken by ISRO till date and it will give a big boost to the Science and Technology development within the country, besides inspiring the Youth and Start-ups to take up bigger challenges and enhance the prestige of the country.

The current status of Gaganyaan programme is as follows:

1. The astronaut training facility is getting established at Bengaluru and in advanced stage of completion. Basic Aeromedical training and flying practice completed as part of Indian leg of training.
2. The design of all systems of Gaganyaan has been completed. Realisation of various systems are in different stages of progress. Ground qualification tests of human rated launch vehicle propulsion stages have been already commenced and successfully progressing.
3. The configuration and design of ground infrastructure has been completed and modifications needed are being implemented.
4. The MoU, contracts and Implementation arrangement (IA) related activities with both national and international agencies are progressing well. Receipt of deliverables has commenced against contracts with M/s Glavkosmos (Russian Space Agency) for space suit, crew seat and View port. Also receipt of deliverables under various work packages of CNES (French Space Agency) IA has commenced.
5. The activities related to development of microgravity experiments have commenced, the conceptual design for experiments is under review.

10-Mar-2021: Four Indian astronauts undergoing generic space flight training in Russia as part of Gaganyaan Programme nearing completion

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that four Indian astronaut candidates are currently undergoing generic space flight training in Russia as part of Gaganyaan Programme. In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today, he said, the astronaut training activities in Russia are nearing completion. Major modules such as survival training (snow, water and steppe), parabolic flights, theoretical classes on orbital mechanics, Astro-navigation and some Soyuz systems have been completed.

Dr. Jitendra Singh said, Government of India has made reforms in Space sector by enabling private sector participation in Space activities. He said, the intention is to provide level playing field for private companies in satellites, launches and space-based services, to bring in predictable policy and regulatory environment to private players, to provide access to ISRO facilities and other relevant assets to improve their capacities, to provide opportunities in selected areas of planetary exploration, outer space travel, etc. to private sector and to liberalize the existing geo-spatial data policy for providing remote-sensing data to entrepreneurs.

Dr. Jitendra Singh said that PSLV-C51 carried Amazonia-1 optical earth observation satellite of National Institute of Space Research of Brazil along with 18 small satellites on February 28, 2021.

10-Feb-2021: Training of Astronauts and Progress of Gaganyaan Mission

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today said that following initiatives have been taken by the Government for Indian leg of crew training:

1. Expert team is constituted to define the training curriculum.
2. Plan finalized for astronaut training building including requisite facilities with regard to Gaganyaan mission. Work order for the same has been released.

The details of progress of Gaganyaan is as follows:

1. The preliminary design of Gaganyaan system is completed.
2. Memorandum of understanding (MoUs) signed and in effect with;
   • Indian Air Force for crew management activities for Indian human space flight programme;
   • Seven (7) DRDO labs for design and development of human centric products; and
   • Academic institutes for development of Microgravity payloads.
3. Major contracts signed and in effect.
4. Crew screening and selection completed. The crew members are currently undergoing generic space flight training at Russia.
5. Human Centric Products: Preliminary design review of various human centric systems such as Space food and Potable water, Crew health monitoring system, Emergency survival kit, Crew medical kit, etc. completed.
6. Hardware realization is in advanced stage for ground test and first unmanned mission.
7. Qualification tests of liquid engines as part of human rating of launch vehicle commenced.

Dr. Jitendra Singh said that as per COVID 19 protocols in Russia and health advisories issued by local authorities, the Astronaut training in Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC), Russia was halted for a period from 28th March, 2020 to 11th May, 2020. As per the revised COVID 19 protocols the training of Indian astronauts has henceforth resumed since 12th May, 2020. He also informed that the First unmanned mission is planned in December 2021. Second unmanned flight is planned in 2022-23, followed by human spaceflight demonstration.

29-Jun-2020: India’s first human space mission “Gaganyaan” will not be affected by COVID pandemic: Dr. Jitendra Singh

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said here today that the launch of India’s first human space mission “Gaganyaan” will not be affected by COVID pandemic and preparation are carrying on in the right direction.

Briefing about the important achievements of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Space over the last one year and some of the important missions planned for the future, Dr Jitendra Singh said that even though because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the training of four Indian astronauts in Russia had to be halted, yet the opinion of Chairman ISRO and the scientific team is that there had been kept a “cushion” both in the training programme and launch deadline. The training of astronauts has now been resumed and the launch is scheduled to take place as planned, before the 75th anniversary of India’s independence in 2022, he said.

Elaborating on the cabinet decision to encourage private participation in ISRO activities, Dr Jitendra Singh said, a regulatory body called “Indian National Space Promotion & Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe)” is to be established. This will help provide a level playing field to private players and encourage their participation, he said.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, besides enhancing the capacity and resources of our space missions, increased participation of private players will also discourage the brain drain of talented space scientists and experts who were otherwise moving out of India in search of a break.

About Chandrayaan-3 Lunar mission, Dr Jitendra Singh said, as of today, it is planned for launch next year. This mission will involve a lander, rover and a propulsion system to carry the modules to move but it would not have orbiter as the previous orbiter is fully operational, he added.

2-Jan-2020: 4 astronauts shortlisted for manned space mission

Four astronauts have been shortlisted for India’s first manned spaceflight, scheduled for December 2021, and will be trained in India and Russia starting the third week of January. A national advisory committee to review the manned spaceflight — or Gaganyaan mission — has been constituted.

ISRO did not name the astronauts, who will all be Indian Air Force pilots.

“We have made good progress on the Gaganyaan mission this year. Many of the designs have been completed. The selection process for the astronauts is over, now the training for the four astronauts identified is planned for the third week of January this year,” said K Sivan, chairperson of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

This year, ISRO scientists will work towards human rating the propulsion modules (currently the rockets are not fit to carry humans); test the crew escape system (emergency exit in case of a contingency); and the modified GSLV Mk III vehicle with a 4-metre ogive shape payload faring (top section of the rocket, where the crew will be located). The space agency said in 2019 that the first unmanned flight will take place in December 2020, followed by another unmanned flight in July 2021, and the manned flight in December 2021.

So far, the purely scientific satellites launched by ISRO include the Chandrayaan-1 in 2008, Mars Orbiter Mission in 2013, and India’s space telescope AstroSat in 2015. ISRO also plans to test the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle meant for carrying small and nano satellites to space. The vehicle will have a carrying capacity of 500kg to the low earth orbit, and will take only 72 hours and six persons to be assembled. In comparison, India’s workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle takes 70 days and 600 people to put together. The GSAT 20 satellite is also likely to be launched this year, completing the four satellite network to provide high bandwidth connectivity of over 100 Gbps, including in-flight and maritime connectivity.

The Indian space agency also plans to launch the IRNSS 1J satellite with an indigenously developed atomic clock, adding to the Indian navigation satellite constellation. NaVIC, or India’s regional satellite-based navigation system, was approved for use in mobile phones this year by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), which is a standards organisation that develops protocols for mobile phones.

28-Dec-2018: Cabinet approves ₹ 9023 cr for ISRO's Gaganyaan project

The Union Cabinet has approved funds for the Gaganyaan project to the tune of Rs 9,023-crore. The mission will be undertaken by 2022.

Under the mission, a three-member team will be sent to the Earth's lower orbit for at least seven days. On completing the mission, India would become the fourth country to put a human in space using its own space programme after Russia, the United States, and China.

The first human space flight demonstration is targeted to be completed within 40 months from the date of sanction. Prior to this, two unmanned flights in full complement will be carried out to gain confidence on the technology and mission management aspects.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has developed and demonstrated most of the baseline technologies essential for undertaking human spaceflight mission.

The total fund requirement for the Gaganyaan Programme is within Rs 10,000 crore and includes cost of technology development, flight hardware realisation and essential infrastructure elements. Two unmanned flights and one manned flight will be undertaken as part of the programme.

The programme will establish a broader framework for collaboration between ISRO, academia, industry, national agencies and other scientific organisations. The project is expected to generate employment and train human resources in advanced technologies. It will inspire large number of young students to take up science and technology careers for national development.

The programme is expected to spur research and development within the country in niche science and technology domains. Huge potential for technology spinoffs in areas such as medicine, agriculture, industrial safety, pollution, waste management, water and food resource management are also expected.

The human spaceflight programme will provide a unique micro-gravity platform in space for conducting experiments and test bed for future technologies. The programme is expected to give impetus to economic activities within the country in terms of employment generation, human resource development and enhanced industrial capabilities.

5-Oct-2018: ISRO & ROSCOSMOS to work together for first Indian manned mission

The Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will be working together on the first manned space mission. At end of delegation level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, a MoU was inked between ISRO and the Federal Space Agency of Russia ‘ROSCOSMOS’ for joint activities in the field of Human Spaceflight Programme.

The Russian side has offered a ride to Indian astronaut a short visit to International Space Station (ISS) on board a Soyuz spacecraft for a short training mission in 2022. India hopes to send its first manned mission Gaganyaan in 2022.

Historically, India-Russia space cooperation was very strong, with the Soviet Union being one of the three partners who helped India get off the ground with its space programme. While this continued for several decades included for sending an Indian cosmonaut in a Soviet Soyuz mission in 1982, this relationship has begun to slow down in the last decade.

The China factor has been a determining factor to the extent where India’s Chandrayaan 2 mission has been delayed significantly. Russia had agreed to supply ISRO with the Rover for the second moon mission but this has not come through and now ISRO is building its own Rover.

After India announced its manned space mission, there have been interesting debates about where India should train its astronauts. The options are of course the US and Russia and both have offered India all assistance in this regard. How India decides on this issue will be interesting. If India will take clues from the Chandrayaan 2 mission, it will be more prudent.

It was also decided to set up measurement data collection ground stations of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System NavIC and the Russian Navigation Satellite System GLONASS in both countries.

As India is part of the BRICS grouping along with Russia, it was decided that cooperation on BRICS remote sensing satellite constellation will continue as well as to further work together in various space related programmes.

The ISS is a habitable artificial satellite in low Earth orbit. If successful, India would be the fourth nation to send a human in space after the US, Russia and China.

21-Sep-2018: ISRO setting up launch pad for Gaganyaan mission

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is setting up a third launch pad at Sriharikota to undertake the Gaganyaan manned space flight programme. In addition, ISRO is scouting for a location on the western sea coast near Gujarat to set up another launch pad for Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLV).

We have two launch pads currently, which are already full. A third launch pad is being set up for the human space flight. It will be ready in time for the mission.

In the Independence Day address this year from the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that an Indian will go to space by 2022. Following this, ISRO has announced an ambitious roadmap to put a three-man Indian crew in a low earth orbit for 5-7 days by the 75th Independence Day.

In addition to the third launch pad at Sriharikota, ISRO is also scouting for a new location near Gujarat for the SSLV. ISRO is developing the SSLV to offer affordable launch options for smaller satellites through Antrix, the space agency’s commercial arm. ISRO currently piggybacks smaller satellites on the PSLV and GSLV along with bigger satellites. The SSLV is expected to reduce the launch time as well as cost less to launch small satellites, which are much in demand.

Several locations have been evaluated so far. The first two SSLV launches will take place from Sriharikota. After that they will move to the new location.

ISRO is ready to transfer the entire SSLV “as a whole” to the private industry while the agency would provide the initial hand-holding. The SSLV is expected to be cleared by next year.

9-Sep-2018: India, France ink agreement to collaborate for Gaganyaan mission

India and France have signed an agreement to collaborate for ISRO's first human space mission- Gaganyaan to be launched in 2022. Both countries have also announced a working group for Gaganyaan. The announcement was made at the sixth edition of Bengaluru Space Expo.

So far, French-Indian space cooperation was in the domain of climate monitoring, with a fleet of joint satellites devoted to research and operational applications.

Under this agreement, ISRO and French space agency CNES will form a working group to exchange expertise in fields of astronaut life support, radiation protection, space debris protection and personal hygiene systems among others.

CNES will be sharing its expertise acquired from France's first human spaceflights of Thomas Pesquet's Proxima mission in November 2016, when European Space Agency's (ESA) astronaut Pesquet was on a six-month mission at the International Space Station (ISS). Pesquet had conducted 50 scientific experiments for CNES and ESA.

It is also envisioned that French space training infrastructure such as CADMOS centre for development of microgravity applications and space operations or MEDES space clinic will be used for training of future Indian astronauts, as well as exchange of specialist personnel.

The partnership between CNES and ISRO will also allow French space agency to learn from India's developments in the field of crew transport.

29-Aug-2018: ISRO unveils plans for India’s manned space flight mission

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) unveiled details of its first indigenous human space mission dubbed as Gaganyaan to be launched in 2022. The mission was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his 72nd Independence Day speech. Under it, three Indian astronauts (Gaganyatris) will be taken to space on board Gaganyaan spacecraft by 2022.

This will be the first human space mission to be indigenously developed by ISRO. If successful, India will become fourth nation in the world to send astronaut into space after US, Russia and China. Former Indian Air Force (IAF) person Rakesh Sharma was first Indian to travel to space. He was part of the Soviet Union’s Soyuz T-11 expedition, launched on April 2, 1984, of the Inter-cosmos programme.

Objectives of Gaganyaan Mission: Enhancement of science and technology levels in the country, serve as national project involving several institutes, academia and industry, improve of industrial growth, inspire youth, develop technology for social benefits and improve international collaboration.

Key Features of Mission

• The entire cost of Gaganyaan mission will be less than Rs 10,000 crore. It will be totally indigenous, very cost-effective mission by Indian standards which is not viable from international standards. Prior to actual launch of this manned mission by 2022, ISRO will launch two unmanned Gaganyaan missions (first in 30 months’ time and then 36 months).
• Launch Phase: GSLV Mk-III launch vehicle will be used to launch Gaganyaan as it has necessary payload capability for this mission. The spacecraft will comprise of crew module and service module that constitute orbital. It weighs approximately 7 tonnes and will be placed in low earth orbit (LEO) of 300-400 km. Crew module’s size will be 3.7 meters and of service module will be 7 meters.
• Orbital Phase: The mission will send three-member crew to space for period of five to seven days. The launch vehicle will take off from spaceport of Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh and it will reach desired orbit in 16 minutes. The crew will be selected by Indian Air Force (IAF) and ISRO jointly after which they will undergo training for two-three years. It will conduct microgravity experiment during the mission.
• Re-entry phase: The velocity of whole module will be reduced and will be turned in opposite direction so that it can start to come down. When it will reach distance of 120 km from Earth’s surface, service module will be removed and separated out. The module carrying crew alone will come back to earth, this will take about 36 minutes to reach Earth. ISRO is planning to land crew module in Arabian Sea, closer to Gujarat coast or in Bay of Bengal or even on land from where the crew will be recovered
• Execution time: The mission may be executed six months before India completes its 75th Independence Day in 2022. It is expected to be completed before 2022.

Support technology developed by ISRO for Gaganyaan Mission: So far, ISRO has developed some critical technologies required for manned space mission like re-entry mission capability, crew escape system, crew module configuration, thermal protection system, deceleration and floatation system and sub-systems of life support system. Some of these technologies have been demonstrated successfully through Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE-2007), Crew module Atmospheric Reentry Experiment (CARE-2014) and Pad Abort Test (2018). These technologies will enable ISRO in accomplishing programme objectives in short span of 4 years.