Gaganyaan Mission Development Progress
The Department of Space provided a comprehensive update on India's Gaganyaan mission and Bharatiya Antariksh Station development in a parliamentary response. The Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3) has completed development and ground testing of all propulsion stages and structures. The Orbital Module's propulsion systems for both Crew Module and Service Module have been developed, tested, and qualified, with an engineering model for Environmental Control & Life Support System (ECLSS) realized. Additional systems including deceleration system, Crew Module Up-righting System, Thermal Protection System, and end-to-end avionics have been developed and tested.
Testing and Infrastructure Achievements
The Crew Escape System has seen five types of motors developed and static tested, with all structures realized and qualified. Significant infrastructure has been established including Orbital Module Preparation Facility, Gaganyaan Control Centre, Gaganyaan Control facility, Crew training facility, and Second Launch pad modifications. Test missions have progressed successfully with the first Test Vehicle mission (TV-D1) for inflight validation of Crew Escape System completed, along with Integrated Air Drop Test-01 and Integrated Air Drop Test-02 with simulated Crew Module for deceleration system validation. Activities are ongoing for the TV-D2 mission.
Mission Timeline and International Collaboration
Flight operations and communication network configuration has been finalized with IDRSS-1 feeder stations and terrestrial links established. Memorandums of Understanding have been signed with other space agencies for cross supports. Recovery assets and plans have been finalized. The first uncrewed experimental mission featuring Vyommitra half-humanoid is targeted for Q4 2026, with two additional uncrewed missions and the first crewed mission targeted by 2027.
Bharatiya Antariksh Station Development
Operationalization of Bharatiya Antariksh Station is targeted by 2035, with ISRO having worked out an overall configuration comprising five modules. The government has approved development and launch of the first module (BAS-01), with overall system engineering and technology development activities progressing across ISRO Centers/Units. A budgetary allocation of ₹20,193 crore towards accomplishment of 8 missions was approved by the Union Cabinet in September 2024.
International Partnerships
Substantial international collaboration has been established, including network operations support through European Space Agency, crew and crew module recovery cooperation with Australian Space Agency, training of ISRO's Flight Surgeons and Ground Support Teams in CNES/European facilities through collaboration with French National Space Agency, and a MoU with Russia's Roscosmos for joint activities in Human Spaceflight Programme enabling contracts for delivery of subsystems including Crew Seat, Viewport, Flight Suits, and Wind Tunnel Testing, plus Generic Space Flight Training of the first batch of Gaganyatris in Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre.