Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chief V Narayanan said on Thursday that 90% of the work for India’s first human space mission, ‘Gaganyaan,’ has been completed. The mission will be launched in early 2027. All technical tests for the mission are being conducted on schedule. With this mission, India will join the list of select countries that have sent humans into space on their own. Narayanan made this statement during the Emerging Science, Technology, and Innovation Conclave. Narayanan said that the human rating process for Gaganyaan’s rocket, the design of the orbital module, and the environmental control system are almost complete. It is a mission, and for this, many complex technologies had to be developed. The ISRO chief said that now three uncrewed missions are yet to be completed. Only after the success of these missions will astronauts be sent. He informed that, in the first uncrewed mission, a humanoid robot named ‘Vyommitra’ will be sent. He said, ‘We are aiming to send a human mission in early 2027.’ First Integrated Air Drop Test conducted in August On August 24, 2025, ISRO successfully completed the first Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-1) on Sunday. This test was conducted to check the real-world conditions of the parachute system prepared for the Gaganyaan mission. Its purpose was to check the parachute deployment process before the Gaganyaan mission. This process will ensure the safe return of astronauts during the mission. During the test, a dummy crew capsule weighing approximately 5 tons was released from an Air Force Chinook helicopter from an altitude of 4 km. As it descended, the parachute opened as per the defined process, slowed down the capsule’s speed, and prepared it for a safe landing. In this important test, ISRO, the Indian Air Force, DRDO, the Indian Navy, and the Indian Coast Guard worked together. 3 pictures of the Air Drop Test… What will India achieve from the Gaganyaan Mission? What preparations has ISRO made for the ‘Gaganyaan Mission’ and what remains?
The Gaganyaan Mission’s rocket is ready and astronaut training is ongoing… 1. Launch Vehicle Ready: The HLVM3 rocket, a launch vehicle capable of carrying humans into space, has been prepared. Its security testing is complete. This rocket was previously known as GSLV Mk III, which has been upgraded. 2. Astronaut Selection and Training: Under the Gaganyaan mission, 3 astronauts will be taken to space. For this, 4 Air Force pilots were selected. Their training has been completed in India and Russia. They have been trained using simulators. Other space and medical-related training is being provided. 3. Crew Module and Service Module: The Crew Module, where astronauts will sit, and the Service Module, which provides power, propulsion, and life support systems, are in their final stages. Their testing and integration are pending. 4. Crew Escape System (CES): The Crew Escape System has been prepared to immediately separate the Crew Module from the rocket in case of an unforeseen event during launch. Five types of Crew Escape System solid motors have been developed, and their successful testing has also been completed. 5. Recovery Testing: ISRO and the Navy have conducted testing for the safe return of the crew module after splashdown in the Arabian Sea. An agreement has also been made with Australia for backup recovery. 6. Robot for Unmanned Mission: In January 2020, ISRO announced that a humanoid named Vyommitra has been created for Gaganyaan’s unmanned mission. Vyommitra has been prepared to conduct experiments in microgravity and test the module.
