Gaganyaan mission slated for first quarter of 2027: ISRO chief Narayanan
The Hindu
India's Gaganyaan human space flight delayed to 2027, with uncrewed missions planned for 2026.
The launch of India's maiden human space flight — Gaganyaan — has been pushed to the first quarter of 2027, nearly five years later than the original schedule as it races to ace technologies for such complex projects.
The first uncrewed mission of the Gaganyaan project is expected to be launched later this year, which will be followed by two more similar missions in 2026, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman V. Narayanan said at a press conference.
“The first crewed mission is targeted for the first quarter of 2027,” Mr. Narayanan said and added ISRO would send a half-humanoid robot — Vyommitra — as part of the uncrewed mission before sending astronauts to low-Earth orbit.
Also Read | ISRO dispatches crew module for first uncrewed mission of Gaganyaan
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the Gaganyaan project during his Independence Day address in 2018 and set a target of 2022 for achieving India's maiden human space flight.
The project has run into several delays, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic that affected the training of astronauts, and complexities of mastering the crucial technologies required for the mission.
The crewed mission was expected to take place in 2025 and later slotted for 2026. It has now been delayed to the first quarter of 2027.
Explore the necessity, types, challenges, and potential of bioremediation in India for environmental restoration and public health.
Researchers in India uncover genetic factors linked to early oral cancer onset in tobacco chewers, enhancing cancer prediction and prevention.
Mahindra’s XEV 9S is a modern, family-focused electric SUV with premium design, a spacious tech-rich cabin, refined performance and advanced safety features. Discover variants, pricing and real-world impressions in our detailed review.
Samantha interview: On pickleball, her battles with a rare autoimmune condition and learnings
Experience the thrilling Akkulam Glass Bridge in Thiruvananthapuram, offering stunning views and adventure activities for all ages.
Climate scientists and advocates long held an optimistic belief that once impacts became undeniable, people and governments would act. This overestimated our collective response capacity while underestimating our psychological tendency to normalise, says Rachit Dubey, assistant professor at the department of communication, University of California.
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla predicts a transformative decade for India’s space exploration and international collaboration.