Indian Human Spaceflight Programme
![]() | This article may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling. (March 2024) |
![]() Indian Astronaut Patch | |
Program overview | |
---|---|
Country | India |
Organization | Human Space Flight Centre (ISRO) |
Purpose | Human spaceflight |
Status | Active |
Programme history | |
Cost | ₹10,000 crore (US$1.2 billion) for maiden crewed mission |
Duration | 2006–present[1]
|
First flight | Gaganyaan-1 (2024)[2] |
First crewed flight | Gaganyaan-4 (NET 2025)[3] |
Launch site(s) | Satish Dhawan Space Centre |
Vehicle information | |
Launch vehicle(s) |
|
The Human Rated Launch Vehicle (or Gaganyaan) is an ongoing programme by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to develop the technology needed to launch crewed orbital spacecraft into low Earth orbit.[4] Three uncrewed flights, named Gaganyaan-1, Gaganyaan-2 and Gaganyaan-3 are scheduled to launch in 2024, followed by crewed flight in 2024 on an HLVM3 rocket.[3][2][5][6][7]
Before the Gaganyaan mission announcement in August 2018, human spaceflight was not a priority for ISRO, but it had been working on related technologies since 2007,[8] and it performed a Crew Module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment[9] and a Pad Abort Test for the mission.[10][11] In December 2018, the government approved a further ₹100 billion (US$1.5 billion) for a 7-days crewed flight of 2–3 astronauts.[12][13][14][15]
If completed successfully, India will become the fourth nation to conduct independent human spaceflight after the Soviet Union/Russia, United States, and China. After conducting the first crewed spaceflights, the agency intends to start a space station programme, crewed lunar landings, and crewed interplanetary missions in the long term.[16][17]
History
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/55/ISRO-designed_Astronaut_Space_Suit.jpg/220px-ISRO-designed_Astronaut_Space_Suit.jpg)
On August 9, 2007, the then Chairman of the ISRO, G. Madhavan Nair, indicated the agency was "seriously considering" the creation of the Human Spaceflight Programme. He further indicated that within a year, ISRO would report on its development of new space capsule technologies.[18] Development of a fully autonomous orbital vehicle to carry a two-member crew into low Earth orbit (LEO) began a few months after that when the government allocated ₹95 crore (US$11.4 million) for pre-project initiatives for 2007 through 2008. A crewed orbital spaceflight would require about ₹12,400 crore (US$1.5 billion) and a period of seven years of development. The Planning Commission estimated that a budget of ₹5,000 crore (US$599.1 million) was required for initial work during 2007–2012 for the crewed spaceflight.[8][19] In February 2009, the Government of India authorized the human space flight programme,[20] but fell short of fully funding it or creating the programme.
The trials for crewed space missions began in 2007 with the 600 kg Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE), launched using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket, and safely returned to Earth 12 days later. This was followed by the Crew Module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment and the Pad Abort Test in 2018. This enables India to develop heat-resistant materials, technology, and procedures necessary for human space travel.
As per memorandum of understanding (MoU), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will provide support for Human Space Mission with critical human-centric systems and technologies like space-grade food, crew healthcare, radiation measurement and protection, parachutes for the safe recovery of the crew module, fire suppression systems, etc.[21] Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL) has worked on the space food for the crew and has been conducting trials on a G-suit for astronauts as well.[22][23] A prototype called 'Advanced Crew Escape Suit' weighing 13 kg and built by Sure Safety (India) Private Limited has been tested and performance verified.[24][25][26][27] While the crew module is designed to carry a total of 3 passengers, the maiden crewed mission may only have one or two crews on board.[28]
Having shown success in all preliminary tests,[29] the decisive push for the creation of the Human Spaceflight Programme took place in 2017,[30] and it was accepted and formally announced by the Prime Minister on August 15, 2018.[31] The funding is approximately Rs 10,000 crore. The testing phase was expected to begin in December 2020, and the first crewed mission was to be undertaken in December 2021.[32] However, on June 11, 2020, it was announced that the overall schedule for the Gaganyaan launches had been postponed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in India, in turn revising the timetable for the HSP.[33] As of December 2022, the first uncrewed test flight is scheduled to launch no earlier than mid-2024,[6] with the uncrewed second and crewed third flights to follow afterward.[5] As per ISRO, the initial review process is complete for food, potable water, emergency first aid kits, and health monitoring systems for the Gaganyaan mission until March 16, 2021.[citation needed] ISRO and the CNES joint working group on the Human Spaceflight Programme are collaborating on space medicine for Gaganyaan project.[34]
Spacecraft developments
[edit]Mission | Patch | Launch date | Crew | Launch vehicle | Duration | Goal | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gaganyaan-1 (Test Flight 1) | TBA | July 2024[2][37] | — | LVM3 | 2 days | Technology demonstration | Planned |
Gaganyaan-2 (Test Flight 2) | TBA | Q4 2024[5][37] | — | 2 days | Technology demonstration mission carrying Vyommitra, the humanoid robot | Planned | |
Gaganyaan-3 (Test Flight 3) | TBD | Q1 2025[5][37][3] | — | 2 days | Technology demonstration mission carrying Vyommitra, the humanoid robot | Planned | |
Gaganyaan-4 (Crewed Flight) | 2025[5][37] | ![]() ![]() |
TBD | First crewed flight | Planned |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Gaganyaan_drop_test_to_G1.webp/313px-Gaganyaan_drop_test_to_G1.webp.png)
The first phase of this programme is to develop and fly the 3.7-ton spacecraft called Gaganyaan with the capacity to carry a 3-member crew in low Earth orbit and safely return to Earth after a mission duration of a few orbits to two days.[36] The extendable version of the spaceship will allow flights up to seven days, rendezvous and docking capability. Before the flight of the Gaganyaan module, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla would fly on the Axiom-4 Mission to the International Space Station.[38][39]
In the next phase, enhancements will lead to the development of a small habitat, allowing spaceflight durations of 30–40 days at once. Further advances based on experience will subsequently lead to development of a space station.[40]
On October 7, 2016, Vikram Sarabhai Space Center Director K. Sivan stated that ISRO was gearing up to conduct a critical 'crew bailout test' called the ISRO Pad Abort Test to see how fast and effectively the crew module could be released safely in the event of an emergency. The tests were conducted successfully on July 5, 2018, at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. This was the first of a series of tests to qualify a crew escape system technology.[41][42] Parachute tests were scheduled before the end of 2019, and multiple in-flight abort tests were planned starting mid-2020.[43][needs update]
India will not use any animals for life support system testing but robots resembling humans will be used.[44][45] ISRO is targeting more than 99.8% reliability for its crew escape system.[46]
ISRO plans to launch its crewed orbiter Gaganyaan atop a Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3).[7] About 16 minutes after lift-off, the rocket will inject the orbital vehicle into an orbit 300 to km above Earth. The capsule would return for a splashdown in the Arabian Sea near the Gujarat coastline.[47] As of May 2019, the design of the crew module was complete.[48] The spacecraft will be flown twice uncrewed for validation before conducting actual human spaceflight.[49][50][51] As of January 2020, the crew module was due to undergo testing in the wind tunnel facility of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) at the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL).[52] The spacecraft will carry one crew in its maiden crewed mission to an orbit of 400 km (250 mi).[28]
The first uncrewed flight will involve the launch of a 5,000 kg (11,000 lb) module which, after orbiting will re-enter the atmosphere and decelerate at an altitude of 7 km (4.3 mi) before splashing down.[53]
Infrastructure development
[edit]Launch pad
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ef/Second_Launch_Pad.jpg/220px-Second_Launch_Pad.jpg)
India's maiden crewed mission is expected to take off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre Second Launch Pad. In November 2019, ISRO released tenders for the pad's augmentation.[54][55][56][57][58] A third launch pad in Sriharikota has been proposed for India's future launch vehicles and crewed missions.[59] Systems for crew ingress and egress, an access platform, recovery setup for emergencies during the flight’s ascent phase, module preparation facility for assembly and testing will be built. All the facilities will be connected to an upcoming Gaganyaan control facility which will be built nearby and facilitate communication and monitor the crew capsule during flight.[60]
Human-Rating of LVM3
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/59/HLVM3.svg/220px-HLVM3.svg.png)
Human-rating allows the system to be capable of safely transporting humans. ISRO will be building and launching 3 missions to validate the human rating of the LVM3.[3][61] Existing launch facilities will be upgraded to enable them to carry out launches under the Indian Human Spaceflight campaign.[62][63]
ISRO has been modifying propulsion modules of various stages of the rocket for human rating. Theoretical parameters for human rating were expected to be achieved by August or September 2020 to be followed by simulations and three test launches.[64][needs update]
Escape System
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/22/TVD1-Brochure_elements_22.png/220px-TVD1-Brochure_elements_22.png)
ISRO has successfully conducted a pad abort test to validate its launch escape system for fast and effective crew extraction in the event of an emergency. The tests were conducted successfully on July 5, 2018, at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. This was the first of a series of tests to qualify a crew escape system technology.[41][42] Work on parachute enlargement is also ongoing.[61][65] Parachute tests are scheduled before the end of 2019, and multiple in-flight abort tests are planned starting mid-2020, using a liquid-fueled test vehicle.[43][66][needs update]
A new test vehicle was designed in early 2020 for the validation of the crew escape system. The vehicle was built for in-flight crew escape of crew and possesses propulsion on top of the module to pull the module away to a safe distance.[64]
Certification
[edit]ISRO is working on developing an indigenous mechanism to certify its spacecraft that will take humans to space.[67]
Astronauts
[edit]Astronaut selection and training
[edit]In the spring of 2009, a full-scale mock-up of the crew capsule was built and delivered to Satish Dhawan Space Centre for astronaut training. India was to shortlist 200 Indian Air Force pilots for this purpose. The selection process would begin with the candidates completing an ISRO questionnaire, after which they would be subjected to physical and psychological analyses. Only 4 of the 200 applicants were to be selected for the first space mission training. While two will fly, two shall act as reservists.[68][69]
ISRO signed a memorandum of understanding in 2009 with the Indian Air Force's Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM) to conduct preliminary research on the psychological and physiological needs of the crew and the development of training facilities.[70][71] IAM played a key role in determining astronaut training, the design of the crew capsule as per the anthropometric dimensions of the Indian population and a number of control and environmental systems as per psychological and physiological needs.[72]
The announcement of Gaganyaan by Prime Minister Modi immediately attracted an enthusiastic reaction from the Indian diaspora, and ISRO received millions of letters and emails from Indian residents as well as expats willing to volunteer as astronauts for the project.[73]
In January 2019, ISRO Chairman K. Sivan announced the creation of India's Human Space Flight Centre in Bengaluru for training astronauts.[74] The ₹1,000 crore (US$119.8 million) centre will train the selected astronauts in rescue and recovery operations, operations in a zero-gravity environment, and monitoring of the radiation environment. While the HSFC will initially operate out of ISRO headquarters, another facility, a dedicated campus, has been planned to be built near Bengaluru. The facility will include offices, housing, testing and integration facilities and will also employ a workforce of 1,000 people in the long term.[75]
An astronaut training facility will be established on a proposed 140 acres (0.57 km2) site near Kempegowda International Airport in Devanahalli, Karnataka.[76]
ISRO's Human Space Flight Centre and Glavcosmos, which is a subsidiary of the Russian state corporation Roscosmos, signed an agreement on July 1, 2019, for cooperation in the selection, support, medical examination, and space training of four Indian astronauts.[77][78] An ISRO Technical Liaison Unit (ITLU) has been approved to be set up in Moscow for coordination activities.[79] Until September 2019, level 1 of the astronaut selection process was completed in Bengaluru. The selected test pilots underwent physical exercise tests, lab investigations, radiological tests, clinical tests, and evaluations on various facets of their psychology.[80][81] By November 2019 the Indian Air Force had selected 12 potential astronauts who would then go to Russia for further training in two batches.[82]
As selection criteria require test pilot experience, any females will not be part of the first Indian crewed spaceflight. The first crewed flight will consist of a crew of three with one backup and this team of four went to Russia for astronaut training.[43]
In December 2019, the selection process came to a close,[83][84] and four candidates began their 12-month training at the Gagarin Research & Test Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) on February 10, 2020.[85] The astronauts were trained for abnormal landings in various terrains, including forests, rivers, and sea.[64]
In February 2020, Indian astronaut candidates completed their winter survival training.[86][87][88]
ISRO has also proposed a₹2,700 crore (US$320 million) plan to establish an astronaut training centre at Challakere in Chitradurga district. The facility would take at least 2–3 years to be established after the government's approval.[89] Following their training in Russia for unexpected and extreme situations, Indian astronauts were to return to India in March 2021 for the rest of their training in an Indian module.[17] However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, training was put on hold from March 28 to May 11 and restarted on May 12, 2020.[35] CNES is supplying the flight system and training flight physicians and technical teams for the Indian Human Spaceflight Program. It is also collaborating and sharing its expertise in the domains of space medicine, astronaut health monitoring and life support.[90]
On the 91st Indian Air Force Day in 2023, the IAF released a video on Twitter, sharing a glimpse of the astronauts (without revealing their faces) training for the Gaganyaan mission.[91] While two or three out of the four astronauts will be selected to fly on the first crewed flight, one of the remaining backup astronauts on this mission will fly before the Gaganyaan prime crew on a mission to the ISS aboard Ax-4 in early 2024, as the second Indian astronaut in space after Rakesh Sharma, though the plan is yet to be finalized. The four have been conducting mission-specific training in India ever since they returned from Russia.[92][93][94]
Candidates announcement and First crew
[edit]On 27 February 2024, at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the names of the four designated astronauts who will be eligible for future flights as part of the Gaganyaan program, as well as an Indo-US joint mission (Ax-4) to the International Space Station. Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan, ISRO chairman S. Somanath and other high-ranking ISRO officials were present at the reveal.[95][96][97][98] The selected astronauts are:
- Group Captain Prasanth Nair
- Group Captain Ajit Krishnan
- Group Captain Angad Pratap
- Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla
They were given Indian astronaut wings and the Gaganyaan mission logo and moto.[99][100] The Indo-US joint mission astronaut is Shubhanshu Shukla, while Prasanth Nair was selected as his backup. Both were thus selected to train at NASA facilities.[101]
Ground uniform
[edit]The ground uniforms were developed by the staff and students of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Bengaluru. Under the direction of the former NIFT director Susan Thomas, the NIFT team—which consisted of three students, Lamia Anees, Samarpan Pradhan, and Tuliya D—as well as two professors, Jonalee Bajpai and Mohan Kumar V—worked on designing the ground uniform for the Gaganyaan mission. The team highlighted the importance for the astronaut-designates' pockets to fit perfectly and the uniform must operate well in order to support their motions. Seventy possibilities were considered before the final design was chosen. The NIFT team examined various space agency uniforms, such as those from SpaceX and NASA. The theme that the NIFT team has explored is asymmetry. The group worked on a two-colored, asymmetrical style line. The design was commissioned in 2021 by the NIFT team, and in 2022, they handed the design to ISRO.[102][103]
Space food
[edit]The Mysore-based Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL), a unit of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has developed dried and packaged food for astronauts. The food laboratory has developed around 70 varieties of dehydrated and processed food items that have undergone strict procedures to eliminate on microbacterial and macrobacterial nutrients. Special care has to be taken in the packaging, and the food items should be of limited weight, but at the same time should be high in nutritional quality.[104] Waste disposal systems for leftover food, liquid dispensing systems, food rehydrating systems and heaters adaptable to outer space conditions are in development, although the list of food products planned to fly aboard Gaganyaan is yet to be publicised as of August 2020. DFRL is expected to launch its RTE space food by March 2021
![]() | This article needs to be updated.(March 2024) |
while the initial batch for the manned spaceflight Gaganyaan-H1 will carry foodstuffs sufficient for 7 days.[105]
Space medicine
[edit]![]() | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (March 2024) |
India sent two flight surgeons to Russia and France to get hands-on experience in space medicines. The flights surgeons are doctors from the Indian Air Force, specializing in aerospace medicine. [106]
Humanoid robots
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/da/Vyommitra_%28Space_friend%29%2C_ISRO.jpg/158px-Vyommitra_%28Space_friend%29%2C_ISRO.jpg)
Unlike other nations that have carried out human spaceflight, India will not fly animals into space. Instead, it will fly humanoid robots for a better understanding of what weightlessness and radiation do to the human body during long durations in space.[107][28] A legless humanoid named as Vyom Mitrā was displayed in January 2020 which is expected to fly onboard uncrewed experimental missions as well as assist astronauts on crewed missions.[108]
Experiments and objectives
[edit]On 7 November 2018, ISRO released an Announcement of Opportunity seeking proposals from the Indian science community for microgravity experiments that could be carried out during the first two robotic flights of Gaganyaan.[109][110] The scope of the experiments is not restricted, and other relevant ideas will be entertained. The proposed orbit for microgravity platform is expected to be in an Earth-bound orbit at approximately 400 km altitude. All the proposed internal and external experimental payloads will undergo thermal, vacuum and radiation tests under required temperature and pressure conditions. To carry out micro-gravity experiments for long duration, a satellite may be placed in orbit. Indian vyomanauts will perform four biological and two physical science experiments related to micro-gravity during the mission.[111]
Space station
[edit]India plans to deploy a 20-tonne space station named Bharatiya Antariksha Station,[3] as a follow-up programme to the Gaganyaan missions. On 13 June 2019, ISRO Chief K. Sivan announced the plan, saying that India's space station will be deployed 5–7 years after the completion of the Gaganyaan programme. He also said that India will not join the International Space Station program. The space station would be capable of harbouring a crew for 15–20 days at a time. It is expected to be placed in a low Earth orbit of 400 km altitude and be capable of harbouring three humans. Final approval is expected to be given to the programme by the Indian government only after the completion of the Gaganyaan missions.[112][113][114][115]
ISRO is working to develop spacecraft docking and berthing technology, with initial funding of ₹10 crore cleared in 2017.[116] A Space Docking Experiment, or SPADEX, is being worked out by ISRO with systems like signal analysis equipment, high-precision videometer for navigation, docking system electronics and real-time decision making for landing systems being developed in various stages. As part of SPADEX, ISRO will launch 2 small satellites for testing. This technology is crucial for a space station as it will enable the transfer of humans from one vehicle or spacecraft to another.[117]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Scientists Discuss Indian Manned Space Mission". Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- ^ a b c "Gaganyaan launch delayed: Manned mission now in 'fourth quarter of 2024'". Times of India. 21 December 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "Prime Minister reviews readiness of Gaganyaan Mission".
- ^ "Gaganyan: How to send an Indian into space". 16 August 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Ramesh, Sandhya (4 December 2022). "India's first human spaceflight Gaganyan in limbo, astronauts partially trained, ISRO silent". ThePrint. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
- ^ a b c Kumar, Chethan (22 July 2021). "Gaganyaan 1st uncrewed mission unlikely before June 2022; no life support systems testing". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
- ^ a b "First human-rated test flight for India's Gaganyaan not likely in 2021". The Tribune. 1 July 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ a b "Eleventh Five year Plan (2007–12) proposals for Indian space programme" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 May 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ "Crew module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment (CARE) - ISRO". Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
- ^ "Satellites Are Our Priority Now, Not Human Space Flight". Outlook. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
- ^ "ISRO's first 'pad abort' test, critical for future human space mission, successful". The Hindu. 5 July 2018.
- ^ "Indian Astronaut Will Be in Space For 7 Days, Confirms ISRO Chairman".
- ^ Singh, Surendra (29 December 2018). "Rs 10,000 crore plan to send 3 Indians to space by 2022". The Times of India. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
- ^ Indians To Spend 7 Days In Space In Rs. 10,000 Crore Gaganyaan Plan: 10 Points, NDTV, 28 December 2018.
- ^ Suresh, Haripriya (15 August 2018). "JFK in 1961, Modi in 2018: PM announces 'Indian in space by 2022,' but is ISRO ready?". The News Minute.
- ^ "India eying an indigenous station in space". The Hindu Business Line. 13 June 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
- ^ a b Dutt, Anonna (18 September 2020). "Gaganyaan mission: Astronauts to undergo Isro module next year". New Delhi. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
- ^ "ISRO considering manned space mission: Nair". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 9 August 2007.
- ^ "ISRO plans manned mission to moon in 2014". Business Standard.
- ^ "India announces first manned space mission". BBC. 27 January 2010
- ^ "Gaganyaan: DRDO to provide special space food and emergency survival kit for ISRO's manned mission". The Financial Express. 4 March 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
- ^ "Def lab works on food for spaceflight crew". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- ^ "Dosa or dum aloo. What will India's first astronauts eat?". DNA. 19 March 2010. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- ^ "AHMEDABAD DNA G & G [PG 16] : Vadodara-based company develops space suit for ISRO". epaper.dnaindia.com. Archived from the original on 19 August 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- ^ "Gujarat's firms helping ISRO shape up 'manned space mission'". The Indian Express. 3 November 2015. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- ^ IndiaTV (12 February 2016), Gujarat's Firm Develops India's First Space Suit for ISRO | Make in India, retrieved 18 August 2018
- ^ "Government of India, Department of Space, Unstarred Question number 213 LokSabha" (PDF). 16 November 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 August 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
- ^ a b c Anonna Dutt (8 January 2020). "India's first manned mission Gaganyaan may take 1 astronaut". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- ^ "ISRO to send first Indian into Space by 2022 as announced by PM, says Dr Jitendra Singh" (Press release). Press Information Bureau, Government of India. Department of Space. 28 August 2018.
- ^ Rao, Mukund Kadursrinivas; Murthi, Sridhara, K. R.; Prasad M. Y. S. "THE DECISION FOR INDIAN HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT PROGRAMME - POLITICAL PERSPECTIVES, NATIONAL RELEVANCE AND TECHNOLOGICAL CHALLENGES" (PDF). International Astronautical Federation.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Indian will take national flag to space on board Gaganyaan by 2022, says PM Narendra Modi in Independence Day speech". Hindustan Times. 15 August 2018.
- ^ "Cabinet Okays ISRO's Human Spaceflight Programme for Rs 10,000 Crore". The Wire. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
- ^ Kumar, Chethan (11 June 2020). "Gaganyaan mission: No Gaganyaan unmanned flight this year". The Times of India. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
- ^ "India, France Working On 3rd Joint Space Mission, Says ISRO Chairman". NDTV. 20 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ^ a b Department of Space (10 February 2021). "Training of Astronauts and Progress of Gaganyaan Mission". Press Information Bureau. Delhi. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
- ^ a b Singh, Surendra (11 November 2021). "Covid stalled Gaganyaan project, manned mission will finally be launched in 2023: Isro chief". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d "EXCLUSIVE: No Gaganyaan unmanned flight this year". The Week.
- ^ Bureau, The Hindu (2 August 2024). "India selects two astronaut-designates for upcoming Axiom-4 mission to International Space Station". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
{{cite news}}
:|last=
has generic name (help) - ^ "Nasa to launch India's Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to Space Station". India Today. 2 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ "We're talking of habitation on moon, Mars...we have to know how to adapt: ISRO chief K. Sivan".
- ^ a b "Successful flight testing of crew escape system technology demonstrator - ISRO". www.isro.gov.in. Archived from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- ^ a b "ISRO's first 'pad abort' test, critical for future human space mission, successful".
- ^ a b c "Episode 90 – An update on ISRO's activities with S Somanath and R Umamaheshwaran". AstrotalkUK. 24 October 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
- ^ "ISRO Not To Fly Living Being Before Actual Manned Space Mission: Official". NDTV.com. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
- ^ "ISRO to use a humanoid, not animal, for Gaganyaan tests".
- ^ "Suits from Vadodara, parachutes from Agra: Inside ISRO's plan to launch India's first astronauts".
- ^ Peri, Dinakar (28 August 2018). "Manned space mission before 75th I-Day: ISRO chief". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
- ^ "India's first solar mission in 2020: ISRO chairman". The Times of India. 4 May 2019. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- ^ "ISRO to launch two unmanned space missions in 2020 and 2021". All India Radio. 18 January 2019. Archived from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- ^ "Isro to build 3 sets of rockets, crew modules for Gaganyaan". The Times of India. 30 December 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- ^ "ISRO to use a humanoid, not animal, for Gaganyaan tests". The Times of India. 18 January 2019. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- ^ Shimona Kanwar (11 January 2020). "Gaganyaan to be tested in wind tunnel facility of CSIR laboratory". The Times of India. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- ^ Anantha Krishnan M (11 November 2020). "Gaganyaan Unplugged-7: ADRDE recovery system to play critical role during India's manned mission". On Manorama. Bengaluru. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
- ^ "SDSC SHAR/Sr.HPS/PT/RO/11/2019-20". www.isro.gov.in. Indian Space Research Organization. 7 November 2019. Archived from the original on 8 November 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
- ^ "RFP TO REALISE HYDRANT SYSTEM FOR AUGMENTED FACILITIES AT SLP COMPLEX (ASLP) SDSC, SHAR SRIHARIKOTA" (PDF). www.isro.gov.in. Indian Space Research Organization. 7 November 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 October 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
- ^ "Work Contract to carry out Video & Still Photography documentation coverage and VIDEO Editing Works of Technical Photography Facility" (PDF). www.isro.gov.in. Indian Space Research Organization. 7 November 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 November 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
- ^ "SUPPLY OF RAW MATERIAL, FABRICATION, ERECTION AND COMMISSIONING OF STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS FOR GAGANYAAN MISSION AT UMBILICAL TOWER OF SECOND LAUNCH PAD (SLP)" (PDF). www.isro.gov.in. Indian Space Research Organization. 7 November 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 October 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
- ^ "REALISATION OF NEW HYDRAULIC SYSTEM FOR CREW ACCESS ARM (CAA) & AUGMENTATION/MODIFICATION OF EXISTING SCVRP-3 HYDRAULIC SYSTEM FOR SERVICING GAGANYAAN MISSION AT UMBILICAL TOWER (UT) OF SECOND LAUNCH PAD (SLP)" (PDF). www.isro.gov.in. Indian Space Research Organization. 7 November 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
- ^ "ISRO to begin process for Human Space Flight Mission". PTI. Hyderabad. India Today. 26 January 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
- ^ "Mission Gaganyaan: A small stepway for man, a giant leap for India". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Isro to build 3 sets of rockets, crew modules for Gaganyaan". The Times of India. 30 December 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
- ^ "India's human space programme gets a fillip". Retrieved 11 January 2019.
Initially, the plan was the construct a new launch pad for the human space flight, but Sivan told the Express that due to paucity of time one of the two existing launch pads is being modified to meet the requirement.
- ^ "Question number 1733 in Rajya Sabha" (PDF). Retrieved 11 January 2019.
It is proposed to utilise the existing launch pad with augmentation for carrying out the initial flights under the Gaganyaan manned space flight programme.
[permanent dead link] - ^ a b c Kumar, Chethan (29 February 2020). "Gaganyaan: Isro designs new vehicle to test crew escape systems". The Times of India. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
- ^ "Agra lab parachutes to bring back India astronauts". Deccan Herald. 4 January 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
- ^ "Isro all set to test Gaganyaan's crew abort system". Retrieved 30 October 2019.
- ^ "ISRO to develop indigenous method to certify spacecraft". The New Indian Express. 8 January 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
- ^ Model of space crew module ready, The Hindu, 2 May 2009
- ^ "IAF developing parameters for India's manned space mission". The Economic Times. 28 December 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2012.
- ^ "The Space Review: Prospects for the Indian human spaceflight program". www.thespacereview.com. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- ^ "Isro unit to start building space capsule for manned mission". Livemint.com. 23 March 2010. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- ^ Anantha Krishnan M (23 May 2020). "IAM to play pivotal role after Indian astronaut selects return from Russia". Malayala Manorama. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
- ^ Anantha Krishnan M (17 April 2020). "ISRO was flooded with requests from Indians wanting to become astronauts". Malayala Manorama. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
- ^ ISRO set for April launch of Chandrayaan-2 after missed deadline. Vikram Gopal, Hindustan Times, 11 January 2019.
- ^ Anantha Krishnan M (18 April 2020). "Along with Gaganyaan, tech for Indian space station will emerge: Dr. Sivan". Malayala Manorama. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
- ^ "Beyond space: Isro plans to place Indians on the Moon". The Times of India. 12 January 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
- ^ "News. Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozin met with the Indian delegation". en.roscosmos.ru. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
- ^ "Gaganyaan: India chooses Russia to pick & train astronauts". The Times of India. 1 July 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
- ^ "Cabinet approves setting up of ISRO's technical liaison unit in Moscow". India Today. 31 July 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
- ^ "Indian Air Force media coordination center". IAF MCC. 6 September 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
- ^ "Gaganyaan: Level 1 of astronaut selection done in Bengaluru". The Times of India. 6 September 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
- ^ "Seven IAF pilots sent to Russia for India's first manned mission to space". The Economic Times. 15 November 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
- ^ "Tests for an unmanned mission by 2020-end, says ISRO chief". The Hindu. 28 December 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
- ^ Pinto, Nolan (1 January 2020). "4 astronauts identified for Gaganyaan mission: Isro chief K Sivan". IndiaToday. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
- ^ "News. Indian candidates for a human spaceflight start training in Russia". en.roscosmos.ru. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
- ^ "Gaganyaan: Four IAF pilots complete winter survival training at Russia centre". The Indian Express. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ^ "Центр подготовки космонавтов им. Ю.А.Гагарина. Официальный Web-сайт". www.gctc.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ^ "Новости. Очередные "зимние выживания" космонавтов". www.roscosmos.ru. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ^ Madhumathi D.S. (6 January 2020). "Challakere to be ISRO's astronaut training hub". The Hindu. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
- ^ "ISRO to launch its Venus mission in 2025, France to take part". Livemint. PTI. 30 September 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
- ^ "Watch: Indian Air Force shares 'first-look' of India's ISRO Gaganyaan Astronauts". WION. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
- ^ "IAF video gives glimpses of Gaganyaan astronauts". The Times of India. 4 October 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
- ^ "India, US to work together to protect space assets, cooperate for sending astronauts to ISS in 2024: Joint statement". The Times of India. 9 September 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ "India, US plan to send Indian astronaut to International Space Station in 2024". Business Today. 23 June 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ "Gaganyaan mission: Names of four astronauts revealed by Modi". Hindustan Times. 27 February 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- ^ "ISRO flying high! PM Modi announces Gaganyaan astronauts, inaugurates 3 new launch pads and interacts with Vyommitra". www.businesstoday.in. 27 February 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- ^ Livemint (27 February 2024). "PM Modi announces names of four astronauts for Gaganyaan mission at ISRO | Watch". www.livemint.com. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- ^ "India's Fantastic 4: Meet The Gaganyaan Astronauts Named By PM". NDTV.com. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- ^ "Group Captain Prashanth Nair among four test pilots for Gaganyaan Mission; PM Modi to announce all 4 names today". Business Today. 27 February 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- ^ "Nair, Prathap, Krishnan and Chauhan listed for Gaganyaan mission". The Times of India. 27 February 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- ^ "Who is Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the 'prime astronaut' for Indo-US mission to space?". The Indian Express. 3 August 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ Monalisa, Monika (5 March 2024). "High flying: Indian Gaganyaan Astronauts sport NIFT-designed space suits; blend of style and function unveiled". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ Ullas, Sruthy Susan (29 February 2024). "Gaganauts' ground suit designed by NIFT Bengaluru team has asymmetry as theme". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "DRDO develops space food for astronauts". DNA India. 29 August 2010. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
- ^ Anantha Krishnan M (27 August 2020). "Gaganyaan Unplugged-5: Tasty space food warming up at DFRL Mysuru for India's manned mission". Malayala Manorama. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
- ^ "Two Indian flight surgeons to visit Russia for space medicine training". Business Standard. 10 January 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Why is India sending robots into space?". 25 July 2019. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
- ^ "IAA-ISRO-ASI Symposium on Human Space Flight and Exploration was organised at Bangalore". www.isro.gov.in. 24 January 2020. Archived from the original on 4 August 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
- ^ "Announcement of Opportunity (AO) for Low Earth Orbit based Microgravity Experiments - ISRO" (PDF). Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
- ^ "Human Mission: ISRO looking at pool of 10 experiments in space".
- ^ "Lok Sabha, Unstarred Question number 2259" (PDF). 4 March 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 March 2020. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
- ^ Singh, Surendra (13 June 2019). "India's own space station to come up in 5–7 years: Isro chief". The Times of India. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
- ^ "India's space station likel to have space for three". The Times of India. 31 October 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
- ^ "India's space station likely to have space for three". 31 October 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
- ^ Peri, Dinakar (13 June 2019). "India to have its own space station: ISRO". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
Giving out broad contours of the planned space station, Dr. Sivan said it has been envisaged to weigh 20 tonnes and will be placed in an orbit of 400 km above earth where astronauts can stay for 15–20 days. The time frame is 5–7 years after Gaganyaan, he stated.
- ^ Kumar, Chethan (2 May 2017). "ISRO: Isro project that can aid refuel, repair of satellites in space gets push". The Times of India. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
- ^ Kumar, Chethan (13 June 2019). "ISRO Latest news: India has been quietly working on key technology to enable space station". The Times of India. Retrieved 24 July 2019.