ISRO Gaganyaan Mission: Union Minister Jitendra Singh Reveals Anticipated Launch Timeline

Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, disclosed that the much-anticipated ISRO Gaganyaan mission, aimed at sending humans into space, is slated for launch in the first half of 2025. Singh attributed the postponement from the original plan, set to coincide with the 75th year of independence, to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Singh, during a media interaction, underscored the significance of India's lunar mission, 'Chandrayaan,' labeling it a remarkable achievement. He drew attention to the fact that in 1969, when the United States achieved the milestone of sending a man to the Moon, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) had just been established.

Reflecting on the historical context of 1969, Singh noted that ISRO's nascent existence was overshadowed by the global focus on the American lunar expedition. However, he highlighted the present-day transformation, where ISRO stands as the world's first entity to reach the South Pole of the Moon. Singh added that the tables have turned, with the United States seeking lunar data from India, exemplifying the nation's progression in space exploration.

What is objective of Gaganyaan programme

According to ISRO, The Gaganyaan Programme envisages undertaking the demonstration of human spaceflight to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in the short-term and will lay the foundation for a sustained Indian human space exploration programme in the long run. The objective of Gaganyaan programme is to demonstrate indigenous capability to undertake human space flight mission to LEO.

As part of this programme, two unmanned missions and one manned mission are approved by Government of India (GoI).

The Human spaceflight programme has both tangible and intangible benefits for the nation, which include progress towards a sustained and affordable human and robotic programme to explore the solar system and beyond and advanced technology capability for undertaking human space exploration, sample return missions and scientific exploration.