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India is set to create history in December this year. The Indian Space Research Organisation will send the first humanoid robot to space to aid in space-exploration and test environments before manned crews are sent to the unknown.
Vyommitra is India’s first humanoid robot developed by ISRO to assist in human space missions. With human-like expressions, speech, and intelligence, Vyommitra stands at the heart of Gaganyaan, India’s maiden human spaceflight programme.
What does ‘Vyommitra’ mean?
The ISRO unveiled Vyommitra in early 2020. The name is derived from Sanskrit — “Vyoma” meaning space, and “Mitra” meaning friend — literally, “friend in space”. This humanoid robot is designed to act as an intelligent, anthropomorphic companion for astronauts, handling both mechanical tasks and communication duties aboard India’s crewed spacecraft.
Vyommitra is not just a test dummy. It is a semi-humanoid robot with advanced sensors, voice recognition systems, and decision-making algorithms. Its primary mission is to simulate human functions in space and validate crew module systems before astronauts embark on their journey.
What will Vyommitra do on Gaganyaan Mission?
Gaganyaan will send Indian astronauts — or ‘vyomanauts’ as the ISRO calls them — into low-Earth orbit for the first time. Before that happens, ISRO plans multiple uncrewed test flights, and Vyommitra will be on board.
During these missions, Vyommitra will:
Vyommitra’s ability to interact naturally will help ground teams study how onboard systems respond to human-like passenger conditions, ensuring the safety and reliability of future human missions.
How Vyommitra works
Vyommitra’s design strikes a balance between functionality and familiarity. Here are a few things that she can do:
Her AI module allows limited decision-making, mimicking cognitive responses to routine events or anomalies detected during flight. This autonomy is crucial for deep-space expeditions, where communication delays may impact real-time control.
Last month, ISRO Chief V Narayanan said that the Vyommitra project was at an advanced stage. “This December, we plan to send the first uncrewed mission, which will include a half-humanoid called Vyommitra instead of a human being. Once this is successful, two more uncrewed missions will be completed next year.”
India will send its astronauts by the first quarter of 2027.
Vyommitra represents more than just a robot. She embodies India’s leap toward indigenous, human-rated space technology. Through her, ISRO bridges robotics, AI, and human spaceflight — a blend that showcases the agency’s multi-disciplinary strength.
Vyommitra’s technology could evolve for use in satellites, planetary rovers, or even future lunar habitats. Once fully validated, her systems could assist astronauts in complex maintenance or research tasks in microgravity environments.
