Union Minister says, India’s maiden human space mission “Gaganyaan” will be launched in 2023

What is the News?

The Union Minister of Science & Technology has said that India’s maiden human space mission, “Gaganyaan” will be launched in 2023.

What is Gaganyaan Mission?

Gaganyaan is India’s first Human Space Flight Programme to be launched by the ISRO.

Aim: To demonstrate the capability to send humans to low earth orbit (LEO) onboard an Indian Launch Vehicle and bring them back to earth safely.

Launch Vehicle: GSLV MkIII

How is the Gaganyaan Mission planned to be launched?

Firstly, the test vehicle flight for the validation of Crew Escape System performance and the 1st Uncrewed mission of Gaganyaan(G1) are scheduled to be launched during the beginning of the 2nd half of 2022. 

This will be followed by a second uncrewed mission at the end of 2022 carrying “Vyommitra”, a spacefaring human-robot developed by ISRO.

Finally, the first crewed Gaganyaan Mission will be launched in 2023.

Which countries are helping India in the Gaganyaan Mission?

Russia: It will be training the astronauts who will go onboard the Gaganyaan Mission. It will also provide equipment like a spacesuit, crew seat and Viewport.

France: France will be training medical support personnel for the mission. It will also be supplying fireproof carry bags made in France to shield equipment from shocks and radiation.

What is the significance of this mission?

With the launch, India will become the fourth nation in the world to launch a Human Spaceflight Mission after the USA, Russia and China.

Source: This post is based on the article “Union Minister says, India’s maiden human space mission “Gaganyaan” will be launched in 2023” published in PIB on 9th Dec 2021.