India prepares for historic milestone with ISRO’s first human spaceflight mission under Gaganyaan.
Astronaut Training and Crew Details
India’s space agency ISRO has announced that its much-anticipated Gaganyaan mission is scheduled for launch in late 2025. This mission will carry a crew of three astronauts into low Earth orbit for up to seven days, marking a historic milestone as India becomes the fourth nation to achieve independent human spaceflight after the US, Russia, and China.
The Gaganyaan capsule will launch aboard the GSLV Mk III, nicknamed the “Bahubali” rocket, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. Designed to reach an altitude of 400 kilometers, the mission will demonstrate critical technologies, including life support systems, crew escape modules, and re-entry operations.
The Indian Air Force selected four candidates for astronaut training, which is being conducted in collaboration with Roscosmos (Russia) and India’s Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) in Bengaluru. They are receiving training in orbital dynamics, zero-gravity simulation, survival drills, and emergency protocols.
The project, with a budget of ₹10,000 crore, represents India’s growing aspirations in space exploration. It also aligns with the government’s vision of becoming a leader in affordable and accessible space technology.
ISRO has already conducted multiple tests, including a successful pad abort test and crew module atmospheric re-entry trials. Additional uncrewed missions in 2024 and early 2025 will precede the final manned flight to ensure crew safety and system readiness.
Strategically, Gaganyaan enhances India’s reputation in global space cooperation and opens avenues for commercial space flights, international collaborations, and lunar and planetary missions. If successful, it could lead to the creation of a space station by 2035.