India is pursuing independent manned space flight, becoming the fourth country in the world after Russia, the United States, and China.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced on the 6th (local time) that it plans to launch the Gaganyaan spacecraft without astronauts into orbit by the end of this year and to carry out its first manned space flight mission in the first quarter of 2027.
Jitendra Singh, Minister of Science and Technology of India, said in a statement that "the manned space flight initiative signifies that India has emerged as a global space power."
So far, only three countries, the United States, Russia, and China, have sent their astronauts into space using domestically developed space launch vehicles. South Korea, along with the European Union, Japan, India, Iran, and North Korea, also possess independent launch vehicles and launch sites but have not sent astronauts into space independently. Instead, some of these countries have participated in the manned space programs of the United States and Russia, sending their astronauts into space on these nations' launch vehicles. Manned space flight, which sends astronauts into orbit and safely brings them back to Earth, is a highly challenging space technology.
India has steadily invested in space technology over the past decade, expanding its ambitions for space development. The scale and momentum of its space program have significantly improved. India has independently developed launch vehicle technologies such as the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) compared to the United States, Russia, and China, and in August 2023, it became the first country to send the Chandrayaan-3 probe to the Moon's south pole. It is also developing the Gaganyaan spacecraft, which can accommodate astronauts for seven days in low Earth orbit.
In 2023, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced plans to send Indian astronauts to the Moon by 2040, committing to a full-fledged manned space program.
According to the Indian Ministry of Space, the Gaganyaan spacecraft, which will carry astronauts, is scheduled to launch in the fourth quarter this year with only the humanoid robot Vyommitra, developed by ISRO. Two additional unmanned missions are expected to follow in 2026. The Indian Navy has already conducted recovery tests and will push for additional maritime recovery simulation tests.
The Gaganyaan will be launched aboard a three-stage rocket called LVM3, which is used to launch communication satellites into geostationary orbit. ISRO is currently conducting final tests on this launch vehicle, the emergency escape system, and the crew module.
The ISRO chief noted that the development of environmental control and life support systems is 90% complete. It is also reported that the development of spacesuits, space food, and crew seats is in the final stages. Over 7,200 tests have been completed so far, including structural, acoustic, environmental, and engine hot testing. ISRO stated, "Four Indian Air Force pilots have been selected as astronaut candidates, completed training in Russia, and are undergoing additional mission training," adding, "we plan to launch the first Indian astronaut into orbit from Indian soil in the first quarter of 2027."
India has sent one astronaut into space so far. In 1984, Colonel Rakesh Sharma of the Indian Air Force became the first Indian to fly in space aboard the Russian Soyuz T-11 spacecraft for 7 days, 21 hours, and 40 minutes.
This month, Colonel Shubham Shukla of the Indian Air Force is set to serve as a pilot on the Axiom Mission 4, a private spacecraft being jointly promoted by Axiom Space, NASA, and ISRO, scheduled to head to the International Space Station (ISS).
The Indian government emphasizes that it has achieved results in space development with a relatively low budget compared to major powers. Minister Singh noted in an interview with Indian media The Tribune that "India is making significant progress in the space economy, thanks to the openness to the private institutional sector," adding, "our mission expenses are only one-fourth of other missions." The manned space program also highlights its economic efficiency.
However, it remains uncertain whether India's manned space program will proceed as scheduled. Following a terrorist attack last month that killed 26 tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, India has blamed the Pakistani military and has been escalating the conflict daily. Should the dispute between India and Pakistan escalate into full-scale war, significant disruptions to the manned space program, which requires substantial resources, are anticipated.