GAGANYAAN- Indian Human Spaceflight Programme.

Source-This post on GAGANYAAN- Indian Human Spaceflight Programme has been created based on the article “Express View on Gaganyaan: Sky’s not the limit” published in “The Indian Express” on 29 February 2024.

UPSC Syllabus–GS Paper-3– Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nanotechnology

News-The article discusses about India’s most ambitious space programme Gaganyaan.

Background– Prime Minister has recently announced the names of the four astronauts who are undergoing training for the country’s maiden human space flight mission, Gaganyaan.

What is Gaganyaan Mission?

It is a space mission to demonstrate ISRO’s human spaceflight capability by launching a human crew to an orbit of 400 km and bringing them safely back to earth.

What is its goal?

The short-term goal is to demonstrate human spaceflight to Low Earth Orbit.
The long-term goal is to lay the foundation for a sustained Indian human space exploration programme. Further, India also intends to demonstrate the fact to the world that it is capable of indigenously developing this complex technology.

Read more: Private participation in India’s Space Sector.

What is the significance of Gaganyaan Mission?

1) Scientific temper- The mission will help in inculcating scientific temper and creativity that will inspire the next generation of students.

2) Manned Missions-It will help in developing the critical technology for carrying out scientific human space exploration in future.

3) Enhanced private participation-The success of the mission will encourage the private sector to invest in space technologies.Recently,the government has allowed 100 % FDI in space sector.

4) Foster International Collaboration– India’s technological demonstration will encourage collaboration with like-minded countries for future international space collaboration.

Question for practice:

How does Gaganyan mission help India to achieve its strategic and economic objective?