India’s maiden human space flight mission is targeted for launch in Q4 2024, Minister of State for Space, Science, Technology, Earth Sciences and Atomic Energy, Dr Jitendra Singh said.
India’s overall human space flight programme is named “Gaganyaan.”
The minister said that in view of the paramount importance of crew safety, two test vehicle missions are planned before the ‘G1’ mission to demonstrate the performance of the crew escape system and parachute-based deceleration system for different flight conditions.
Singh said the uncrewed ‘G1’ mission is targeted to be launched in the last quarter of 2023 followed by the second uncrewed ‘G2’ mission in Q2 2024, before the final human space flight ‘H1’ mission in Q4 2024.
He said the ‘G1’ mission was aimed at validating the performance of a human-rated launch vehicle, orbital module propulsion system, mission management, communication system and recovery operations. The mission will carry a humanoid as a payload.
The astronauts for the human space flight mission have been identified and are currently undergoing their training at Bangalore, Singh further said. “First semester of astronaut training has been completed wherein they have undergone course modules on theoretical basics, space medicine, launch vehicles, spacecraft system and ground support infrastructure.”
Singh stated that regular physical fitness sessions, aeromedical training and flying practice are also part of crew training. “Corresponding evaluation and assessment activities have also been completed. The second semester of crew training is currently in progress.”
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