The Indian government has announced that the final phase of its first human space mission, named "Gaganyaan," is underway, targeting crewed spaceflight for early 2027. Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh discussed the program's progress during a press conference, highlighting successes in missions like Test Vehicle Demonstration (TVD1) and the upcoming Test Vehicle Abort Mission. The mission includes milestones such as TVD2, uncrewed orbital flights, and ultimately crewed spaceflight.
Dr. Singh emphasized that this initiative represents India's advancement as a global space power using indigenous technology, fiscal management, and strategic leadership. The government is aiming to establish the Bharatiya Antariksha Station by 2035 and send the first Indian astronaut to the moon by 2040. Dr. Jitendra Singh also stressed that the Gaganyaan programme brings significant returns in terms of technological innovation and economic growth, contributing to multiple advancements across sectors such as robotics, materials science, electronics, and medicine.
The program has already led to partnerships with the private sector, startups, and Indian industries, fostering a self-sufficient space power. He stated that the crew is undergoing rigorous training, including astronauts designated from the Indian Air Force who completed their core training in Russia. Recovery trials involving the Indian Navy highlight preparedness for potential scenarios.
Technological advancements are being made with cost-efficiency in mind; Dr. Singh noted that India's expenditure on Gaganyaan compares favorably to other countries' expenditures for similar missions, with returns exceeding costs through technological spin-offs and economic stimulation. The minister also acknowledged that the initiative is propelling India toward a self-reliant space capability, inspiring new generations of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs. With plans for crewed missions in 2026,India aims to join elite nations capable of human spaceflight independently.
Overall, the text offers an objective overview of India's "Gaganyaan" program, showcasing its progress towards achieving a significant milestone in space exploration.
Key Entities Referenced
Department of Space: Indian governmental department responsible for space programs.
India: The country undertaking the space mission.
Gaganyaan: India's first human space mission program.
Dr. Jitendra Singh: Union Minister of State Independent Charge for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
MoS Space Dr. Singh: Minister of State for Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh.
06 MAY 2025: Date of the press release.
PIB Delhi: Press Information Bureau, Delhi.
NEW DELHI: The location of the press release origin.
National Media Centre: Location of the media interaction.
Union Minister of State Independent Charge for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions: The full title of Dr. Jitendra Singh's ministerial position.
ISRO: Indian Space Research Organisation.
Secretary, Department of Space, Dr V. Narayanan: Secretary of the Department of Space, Dr. V. Narayanan.
TVD1 mission: First Test Vehicle Abort Mission under the Gaganyaan program.
Test Vehicle Abort Mission: Test mission for Gaganyaan. Successfully completed earlier in 2025.
TVD2: Second Test Vehicle mission slated for later in 2025.
2027: Target year for Indias maiden human spaceflight.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India.
Bharatiya Antariksha Station: India's planned space station, targeted for 2035.
Moon: Target destination for the first Indian by 2040.
2035: The target year for setting up the Bharatiya Antariksha Station.
2040: The target year for sending the first Indian to the Moon.
Humanrated LVM3 vehicle: Launch vehicle for the Gaganyaan mission.
Crew Escape System: A safety system for the Gaganyaan mission.
Crew Module: Part of the Gaganyaan spacecraft for housing the astronauts.
Service Module: Part of the Gaganyaan spacecraft providing support systems.
Indian Navy: The naval force involved in recovery trials.
Russia: Country where Indian Air Force pilots completed training.
Indian Air Force: The air force from which the astronaut designates were selected.
2026: Expected year for the crewed mission.
NKRPSMRelease: Information release.
Department of Space
India’s first human Space mission "Gaganyaan"
programme has entered its final phase: Dr. Jitendra
Singh
Gaganyaan Yields High Returns at Low Cost,
Showcasing India’s Space Efficiency: MoS Space Dr.
Singh
Gaganyaan Spurs Tech Spinoffs and Industry
Growth, Becomes India’s Mission: Dr. Jitendra Singh
India Targets Crewed Spaceflight in 2027 as
Gaganyaan Moves into Final Leg
Posted On: 06 MAY 2025 6:30PM by PIB Delhi
NEW DELHI, May 6 : India’s first human Space mission "Gaganyaan" programme has entered its
final phase, with the first human spaceflight now scheduled for the first quarter of 2027.
Disclosing this while speaking at a media interaction at National Media Centre here today, Union Minister of
State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO,
Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra
Singh provided detailed updates on the mission’s current status, technological progress, and the broader
economic dividends emerging from India’s cost-effective space programme.ISRO and Secretary, Department of Space, Dr V. Narayanan also accompanied the Minister.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said, the successful completion of the TV-D1 mission and the first uncrewed Test Vehicle
Abort Mission earlier this year have laid a strong foundation for the upcoming test schedule. The second Test
Vehicle mission (TV-D2) is slated for later in 2025, followed by the uncrewed orbital flights of Gaganyaan.
These milestones will culminate in India’s maiden human spaceflight in 2027, launching Indian astronauts
into orbit aboard an Indian rocket from Indian soil.
Calling it a “historic mission,” Dr. Jitendra Singh underlined that the Gaganyaan programme goes far beyond
scientific achievement. “It represents India’s rise as a global space power built on indigenous technology,
fiscal prudence, and visionary political leadership,” he said. He also recalled that Prime Minister Narendra
Modi had clearly laid out India’s long-term ambitions in space, including setting up the Bharatiya Antariksha
Station by 2035 and sending the first Indian to the Moon by 2040.The Human-rated LVM3 vehicle, the Crew Escape System, and the Crew Module and Service Module are all
undergoing final stages of testing and integration. He confirmed that the uncrewed orbital Gaganyaan mission
is on track for launch later this year, with recovery trials already conducted with the Indian Navy and more
sea recovery simulations planned.
Training of astronauts is also progressing steadily.
The media was informed that the four Indian Air Force pilots, selected as astronaut-designates, have
completed training in Russia and are undergoing further mission-specific training in India. Their health,
psychological fitness, and simulation-based operational readiness are being continuously assessed at India’s
astronaut training facility.
While sharing these technical advancements, both Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasised the cost-efficiency of the
mission. “The expenditure being incurred on the Gaganyaan project is minimal when compared to similar
human spaceflight missions conducted by other countries,” the Minister said. He added that the mission’s
returns, both in terms of technological innovation and economic stimulus, far exceed the costs involved.
The programme has already given rise to multiple spinoffs—advancements in robotics, materials, electronics,
and medicine—and is fostering deeper collaboration with Indian industry. “Today, Gaganyaan is not just
ISRO’s mission. It is India’s mission,” Dr. Jitendra Singh said, noting the vital role played by the private
sector and startups following policy reforms initiated by the government.
The Chairman too echoed the view that Gaganyaan is catalysing India’s emergence as a self-reliant space
power, inspiring a new generation of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs. With the crewed mission
expected in 2026, India is poised to join an elite group of nations that have independently developed the
capability for human spaceflight.
As Gaganyaan advances with focused precision, it serves not just as a leap in scientific capability but as a
powerful symbol of India’s long-term economic and strategic aspirations in space.
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NKR/PSM(Release ID: 2127312)