New Delhi: India’s ambitious human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan, has achieved significant milestones, with the first uncrewed experimental mission targeted for the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2026. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is also progressing towards the first crewed mission by 2027, while development of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) continues with operationalisation planned by 2035.
The updates were shared by Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State for Space Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
Key Systems for Gaganyaan Mission Ready
According to the government, ISRO has completed or substantially progressed several critical technologies required for India’s first human spaceflight mission.
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Major milestones include:
- Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3): Development and ground testing of propulsion stages and structures completed.
- Orbital Module: Propulsion systems, Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), thermal protection system, deceleration system and avionics developed and tested.
- Crew Escape System (CES): Five types of motors and associated structures developed and qualified.
- Mission Infrastructure: Orbital Module Preparation Facility, Gaganyaan Control Centre, Crew Training Facility and second launch pad modifications completed.
Test Missions Validate Mission Readiness
ISRO has successfully completed several test missions to validate critical systems for human spaceflight.
These include:
- Successful Test Vehicle Demonstration-1 (TV-D1) for in-flight validation of the Crew Escape System.
- Successful completion of Integrated Air Drop Test-01 (IADT-01) and Integrated Air Drop Test-02 (IADT-02) for validating the deceleration system.
- Preparations are currently underway for the TV-D2 mission.
The government said the first uncrewed experimental mission will also validate several new technologies, including Vyommitra, ISRO’s half-humanoid robot.
Following this mission, two additional uncrewed missions in the same configuration as the first crewed mission are planned before the first human spaceflight in 202
Bharatiya Antariksh Station Development Underway
The government has targeted operationalisation of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) by 2035.
ISRO has finalised the overall configuration of the space station, which will comprise five modules. The Union Government has already approved the development and launch of the first module, BAS-01, while system engineering and technology development activities are progressing across ISRO centres.
₹20,193 Crore Approved for Eight Missions
The Union Cabinet approved a budgetary allocation of ₹20,193 crore in September 2024 to support eight missions under India’s human spaceflight programme.
According to the government, the funding is intended to support the development of technologies, mission infrastructure and future spaceflight capabilities.
International Partnerships Strengthen Human Spaceflight Programme
ISRO is collaborating with several international space agencies to strengthen the Gaganyaan mission.
The collaborations include:
- European Space Agency (ESA): Network operations support.
- Australian Space Agency (ASA): Crew and Crew Module recovery.
- French National Space Agency (CNES): Training of ISRO flight surgeons and ground support teams
- Roscosmos (Russia): Human spaceflight cooperation, including astronaut training and procurement of specialised systems such as crew seats, flight suits and viewports.
The government said these collaborations are helping strengthen India’s human spaceflight capabilities through technology support, specialised training and operational cooperation.
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