1st non-crew Gaganyaan mission to launch in December with robot Vyommitra

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman V Narayanan today said the Gaganyaan programme’s first uncrewed mission G1 would be launched with humanoid robot Vyommitra in December.

Narayanan said Vyommitra would monitor module parameters, issue alerts and execute life support operations. The Gaganyaan mission is the country’s ambitious human spaceflight programme, aimed at sending Indian astronauts to space.

Addressing a press conference here alongside Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who recently returned from the International Space Station after a historic voyage, Narayanan said over 7,700 ground tests related to the Gaganyaan mission had been completed and over 2,300 more were to be done before March 2026.

“The motors for crew escape systems, which are integral for astronaut safety, have also been developed and tested. Orbital module preparation facility, Gaganyaan control centre, environmental control and life system, crew training facility, second launch pad modification and parachute-based deceleration system have been established,” he said.

The ISRO chief said the upcoming missions included an integrated air drop test that entailed dropping a crew capsule from an altitude of 3.5 to 4 km using a helicopter. “Trial sorties are underway. In the fourth quarter, the first uncrewed mission of Gaganyaan (G1) will be launched,” he said.

Group Captain Shukla, in his first-ever media interaction, said the insights he gained from his visit to the ISS would help the country in the Gaganyaan mission.

Sharing an update about the seven experiments he conducted on the space station, Shukla said the results would be out in a few months. He said different countries came together for a common cause. “Space unites people. Witnessing a human space flight mission is a different experience. This mission has been extremely successful in achieving its objectives, but more importantly, it has given us insights that cannot be documented on paper. These will be critical as India prepares for Gaganyaan and beyond,” he said.

Group Captain Prasanth B Nair, who trained alongside Shukla for the Axiom-4 mission, described the experience as a reminder of the country’s growing stature in the global space community. Drawing from his interactions abroad, he said India’s achievements were met with respect and admiration, often accompanied by surprise at the scale of progress made with humility.

He emphasised that India’s approach to space was rooted in inclusivity and shared benefit, reflecting the nation’s belief in the oneness of humanity. Stressing that the future lied in space and related technologies, he said the progress made was possible only because of the collective contributions of scientists, policymakers, and citizens.

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Department of Space Jitendra Singh said Shukla’s space voyage vindicated the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Meanwhile, the Department of Space has constituted a high-level review committee to closely monitor the progress of activities leading to the launch of India’s human spaceflight programme.

“Flight integration activities for various propulsion stages of the HLVM3 launch vehicle have been completed. Currently, crew and service modules’ mechanical and electrical integration activities are underway. Further, integration of orbital module and thermovac tests, dynamic and acoustic tests and launch complex activities such as propellant filling and integrated checks are to be completed,” Naryanan said, adding that five launches would take place this year and four in 2026.

7,700 ground tests related to Gaganyaan completed

2,300 more to be done before March 2026

Critical gains from ISS trip

Axiom-4 ISS mission has given us insights that… will be critical as India prepares for Gaganyaan and beyond,” Shubhanshu Shukla, Group Captain