India's ambitious Gaganyaan mission to send humans into space is gaining momentum, and several major developments are seen in the propulsion systems, safety mechanisms, and module integration.

When will the first Gaganyaan flight take place?

The first unmanned flight under the mission is expected in the last quarter of 2024, with further test flights lined up in the third quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026. According to Minister of State for Space Dr. Jitendra Singh in his recent address in the parliament, the first crewed flight will take off in the fourth quarter of 2026.

“All propulsion systems of the human-rated launch vehicle have reached Sriharikota, and the crew escape system for the mission has also arrived at the launch complex,” Dr. Singh revealed. He further disclosed that Indian astronauts have completed two out of three semesters of training in the country.

The key advancements: 

The ISRO has successfully "human-rated" its LVM3 launch vehicle. The rocket would hence meet all stringent standards necessary for the human mission as there would be added redundancies at all stages—solid, liquid, and cryogenic—thereby decreasing risk factors. Fluid mock-up trials of the cryogenic engine have also been completed without much of an issue.

One of the major safety components, the Crew Escape System, is ready for deployment in the first uncrewed flight. It will eject astronauts safely from the module in case of an emergency and has already been tested successfully with a single-stage rocket to an altitude of 17 km.

The orbital module 

The orbital module, which includes the crew module (to carry astronauts) and the service module (to support the crew), is in its final stages. Supporting infrastructure, such as the orbital module preparation facility and the astronaut training center, is also fully operational.

Ground infrastructure and international partnerships

The mission control center, which will oversee the launch and spacecraft operations, is almost complete, alongside the ground station network required to track the mission. ISRO has further partnered with the European Space Agency (ESA), signing a technical implementation plan to receive ground support during the mission.