India’s first human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, has achieved significant milestones in the development and validation of critical human-rating systems, bringing the country’s maiden indigenous human spaceflight mission closer to reality, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Space Dr. Jitendra Singh informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
The Minister said the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3) has completed the development and ground testing of all propulsion stages and structures. The propulsion systems of both the Crew Module and Service Module have been developed, tested and qualified, while key technologies including the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Engineering Model, Thermal Protection System, Deceleration System, Crew Module Up-righting System and end-to-end avionics have also been successfully developed and tested.
Highlighting progress on crew safety, Singh said all five types of motors for the Crew Escape System (CES) have been developed and successfully undergone static testing, with all associated structures realised and qualified. He added that critical mission infrastructure, including the Orbital Module Preparation Facility, Gaganyaan Control Centre, Crew Training Facility, and modifications to the Second Launch Pad, has been established to support upcoming mission activities.
The Minister informed the House that the TV-D1 Test Vehicle Mission, carried out for in-flight validation of the Crew Escape System, has been successfully completed. In addition, Integrated Air Drop Test-01 and Integrated Air Drop Test-02, conducted using a simulated Crew Module, have successfully validated the deceleration system. Preparations for the next Test Vehicle Mission (TV-D2) are currently underway.
He also said the ground communication network for the mission has been finalised, with IDRSS-1 feeder stations and terrestrial links established. Recovery assets have been identified, a crew recovery plan has been prepared, and qualification testing of newly developed systems is continuing in parallel.
Outlining the mission roadmap, Singh said the first uncrewed experimental Gaganyaan mission, carrying the Vyommitra half-humanoid, is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026. The mission will validate several technologies being deployed for the first time under the programme.
This will be followed by two additional uncrewed missions, configured similarly to the first crewed flight, with launches targeted by 2027, before India undertakes its maiden human orbital mission.
Sharing the Government’s long-term vision for human space exploration, the Minister said the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) is planned to become operational by 2035. He informed Parliament that ISRO has finalised the overall configuration of the space station, which will comprise five modules, and that the Government has already approved the development and launch of the first module, BAS-01. Overall system engineering and technology development activities for the module are progressing across various ISRO centres and units.
Singh further stated that the Union Cabinet had approved a budgetary allocation of ₹20,193 crore in September 2024 for the execution of eight missions under India’s Human Spaceflight Programme.
The Minister also highlighted ISRO’s international collaborations supporting the programme. These include cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA) for network operations support, the Australian Space Agency (ASA) for crew and crew module recovery, France’s CNES for specialised training of flight surgeons and ground support teams, and Russia’s Roscosmos for astronaut training and procurement of critical human spaceflight systems.
Singh said the progress achieved under the Gaganyaan Mission, along with the roadmap for the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, reflects the Government’s sustained commitment to strengthening India’s indigenous human spaceflight capabilities and laying the technological foundation for the country’s future space exploration programme.
