India’s human spaceflight mission is nearing a major milestone, with the space agency confirming that preparations for the first uncrewed Gaganyaan flight are now in the final stage.
The space agency said all propulsion system tests required for human-rating have been completed for the Gaganyaan programme. More than 8,000 ground tests, including structural qualification trials, have been successfully carried out. The focus has now shifted to software simulations and environmental validation to stay aligned with the planned timeline.
In a latest update, the space agency said an Integrated Mission Review Committee has been set up to closely examine critical design elements and simulation gaps. The committee will ensure that all systems are fully validated before launch.
Extensive testing has already been completed on the crew module, service module, and the human-rated LVM3 launch vehicle. These efforts place India closer to becoming part of a select group of nations with independent human spaceflight capability.
The Gaganyaan G1 mission will be an uncrewed flight designed to test safety systems before astronauts fly to space. It will carry Vyommitra, a humanoid robot, into low Earth orbit at an altitude of 400 km for a 3-day mission. The flight will validate life-support systems, guidance and navigation, re-entry performance, and recovery operations.
The mission will also assess the crew module, heat shield, parachutes, and overall spacecraft durability under real launch and re-entry conditions. It will help certify the human-rated LVM3 rocket without risking human life.
The G1 mission is tentatively scheduled for March 2026. It will be followed by the second uncrewed mission, G2, later in 2026. The first crewed Gaganyaan mission is planned for 2027, with astronauts Shubhanshu Shukla, Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan, and Angad Pratap onboard.
The programme has faced delays in the past due to COVID-19 disruptions and technical challenges. Recent progress builds on earlier successes such as TV-D2 parachute tests and integrated air drop trials.
With Navy support planned for sea recovery and continued simulations underway, officials said the mission is now in its home stretch. Gaganyaan is expected to drive technology transfer to private start-ups and expand microgravity research through IMEx-2026, marking a defining phase for India’s space ambitions.
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