Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh praised the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for completing the Second Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-02) for Gaganyaan, India’s maiden human spaceflight mission set for 2027. This achievement is a significant step in preparing for the ambitious mission. The test was conducted at Satish Dhawan Space Station, Sriharikota, marking a crucial milestone for Gaganyaan’s readiness.
India’s first human spaceflight is scheduled to launch from Sriharikota in 2027, despite facing delays due to its technological complexity. The country has been independently developing the necessary capabilities for this mission. The Gaganyaan program has been allocated around Rs 10,000 crore by the government and is now in its final phase, with the first crewed flight expected in early 2027.
ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan recently confirmed that preparations for the uncrewed Gaganyaan missions are progressing smoothly. He emphasized the importance of these missions for India, with three uncrewed missions planned before the final crewed launch. The first mission’s activities are on track, although challenges persist. The 2nd International Conference on Smart Spacecraft Mission Operations, attended by former ISRO chiefs and other dignitaries, discussed these advancements.
Four selected astronauts began a high-altitude experiment in Ladakh on April 4 under the “Mission Mitra” project, evaluating human performance in extreme environments. Group Captain Shubhnashu Shukla and P. Balakrishnan Nair, among the astronauts, are supported by a diverse team of experts in this crucial step towards India’s human space exploration journey.
