Gaganyaan Mission Trials with Vyommitra to Begin in October, says Union Minister

New Delhi, August 27, 2023: In a significant update on the Gaganyaan mission, Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced on Saturday that trials for the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) ambitious project will initiate in October. He further revealed that the second phase of the mission will feature the launch of ‘Vyommitra,’ a humanoid robot designed in female attire, into space.

“Following these two phases, between one to three astronauts will be sent as part of the manned mission of the Gaganyaan project. I believe this could commence by 2024,” Singh disclosed.

The Union Minister attributed the delay in the Gaganyaan project to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Vyommitra, the humanoid robot, has been meticulously crafted to simulate various tasks that humans would perform in space. Singh emphasized that extensive pre-planning is necessary to ensure the astronauts’ safe return. Vyommitra is poised to replicate the full spectrum of activities anticipated during a space mission.

The Gaganyaan mission’s ultimate goal is to showcase India’s human spaceflight capability. The mission entails sending a crew of three members into orbit at an altitude of 400 km for a three-day sojourn, with a successful return to Earth’s surface. This undertaking demands the development of pivotal technologies including human-rated launch vehicles, life support systems emulation, emergency escape provisions, and more. ISRO highlighted the necessity of testing the safety and reliability of these systems through unmanned missions before embarking on the manned journey.

Vyommitra, an integral part of the mission, is an attention-grabbing creation. The name signifies a fusion of two Sanskrit words: ‘Vyoma’ meaning ‘Space’ and ‘Mitra’ signifying ‘Friend.’ The humanoid will play a crucial role in monitoring module parameters, executing life support operations, conducting switch panel operations, and replicating other essential human functions in the challenging environment of space.

With the Gaganyaan mission poised to redefine India’s prowess in space exploration, the upcoming trials and subsequent phases mark an important stride towards achieving this significant feat.