Countdown begins: India’s Gaganyaan space mission enters final preparation phase

The astronauts have also completed two of three semesters of the India leg of their training. The first crewed mission is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has been “human rating” its biggest LVM3 launch vehicle — building in redundancies to ensure safe travel for humans. This process was completed after all three stages — solid, liquid, and cryogenic — were tested. Now, the fluid mock-up filling trials of the cryogenic engine has also been completed, according to Dr Singh’s reply.

The Crew Escape System — which ejects the astronauts from the crew module in case of an emergency — was tested at a height of around 17 km using a single-stage rocket last year. Now, the crew escape system meant for the first unmanned flight is ready and has reached the launch complex.

The crew module designed to carry the astronauts and the service module designed to provide support to the crew have already been realised. It is in the process of being integrated together to form the orbital module that will go to space. Flight systems on the orbital module are also in the final stages of integration, according to the reply.

Ground infrastructure such as the orbital module preparation facility and astronaut training facility have been operationalised. The mission control centre, from where the entire Gaganyaan launch and operation will be controlled, is nearing completion. So are the ground station networks that will help track the spacecraft. In fact, Isro recently signed a technical implementation plan with the European Space Agency, which will now provide ground support for tracking during the Gaganyaan mission.