ISRO to launch Gaganyaan’s first uncrewed mission G1 with robot Vyommitra in December

The first uncrewed mission of the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission, G1, will be launched with the half-humanoid robot Vyommitra in December, said V Narayanan, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), on Thursday. Vyommitra, a female robot, is equipped with the capability to monitor module parameters, issue alerts, and execute life support operations.

Narayanan informed that over 7,700 ground tests related to the Gaganyaan mission have been completed, and over 2,300 more tests are targeted before March 2026. Motors for crew escape systems, which are integral for astronaut safety, have also been developed and tested.

An Orbital Module Preparation facility, a Gaganyaan Control Centre, a Gaganyaan Control facility, an environmental control and life support system, a crew training facility, second launch pad modifications, and a parachute-based deceleration system have been established.

Narayanan informed that the upcoming missions include an integrated air drop test, which involves dropping the crew capsule from an altitude of approximately 3.5 to 4 km using a helicopter. “Trial sorties are underway. In the fourth quarter of this year, the first uncrewed mission of Gaganyaan-G1 will be launched,” the ISRO chairman said.

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 program, Gaganyaan.

“Flight integration activities for various propulsion stages of the LVM3 launch vehicle have been completed, and the launch campaign has commenced. Currently, crew module and service module mechanical and electrical integration activities are underway. Further, integration of the Orbital Module and thermovac tests, dynamic and acoustic tests, and launch complex activities such as propellant filling and integrated checks are to be completed,” ISRO officials said.

Narayanan also informed that there will be five launches by ISRO this year and four in 2026. These include Oceansat-3A, which will play a key role in marine resource management, phytoplankton biodiversity, and algal bloom detection. Navigation satellite NVS-03 will provide indigenous regional space-based navigation services. A technology demonstration communication satellite, TDS-01, is also planned to be launched this year. It is designed to test various technologies, including electric propulsion systems.

Narayanan also informed that BlueBird Block 2, a communication satellite of the US, will be launched by ISRO.