Will PM Modi Fly to Space? Check Latest Updates on Ganganyaan Mission

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is gearing up to launch its first manned mission “Gaganyaan” to space within the next few years. In an exclusive interview with NDTV, ISRO Chairman S. Somnath expressed his enthusiasm and trust in his mission, stating, “All of us will be very, very proud if we can confidently send the head of state to space.” 

This remark came in response to a question about the possibility of sending Prime Minister Narendra Modi to space in a completely Indian-made shuttle, launched from Indian soil.

Will PM Modi Fly to Space?

ISRO Chairman S. Somnath, when asked about sending Prime Minister Narendra Modi to space, said it would be a proud moment for Indian and ISRO if “we can confidently send the head of state to space.”

He further said, “While he [PM Modi] certainly has many other, more critical responsibilities, developing a human spaceflight program is a capability we'd like to cultivate.” This mission’s objective is to support the Gaganyaan space program, specifically focusing on training astronauts for the International Space Station (ISS). “The experience gained will be instrumental in building our capacity in this domain.”

What is Gaganyaan Mission?

The ISRO project 'Gaganyaan' aims to send Indian astronauts into low-Earth orbit using an Indian launch vehicle, aligning with PM Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. This mission will highlight India's ability to develop and use cutting-edge space technology, thus giving a boost to Indian space program.

PM Modi himself initiated this mission. Last year, he directed ISRO director to establish an Indian space station by 2035 and send an Indian astronaut on the moon by 2040. While ISRO has already demonstrated its capabilities with missions like Chandrayaan-3, these new objectives represent even greater technological challenges.

The first crewed Gaganyaan mission will last for one day in space. During this time, the astronaut will orbit the Earth sixteen times. The main goal of this mission is to test the life support and control systems, ensuring they work properly for longer missions in the future.

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Gaganyaan Mission Latest Update

Discussing the launch schedule for India's first-ever human space mission, Dr. S. Somnath remarked, "With Gaganyaan, we are at a pivotal point this year." He outlined three major upcoming missions: 

• the primary goal is to conduct an unmanned mission to orbit, remain in orbit for a period, and return safely,
• the second objective is to test the equipment and algorithms, and 
• the third is to verify the launch pad scenario.

Dr. Somnath further mentioned that the first test flight of the Gaganyaan mission is scheduled for the end of next year. He further clarified that the future of India's manned space missions depends on the progress made with each successful mission.

Who will Fly in Gaganyaan?

Earlier this year, four astronauts were introduced as the pioneers preparing to embark on India's space journey. Described as "adventurers and valiant men," these officers, hailing from the Indian Air Force, include Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair.

The crew module will feature "Vyommitra," a gynoid or feminine robot, fully equipped with sensors to monitor radiation and weightlessness effects on the astronauts. It will further oversee capsule conditions, and perform various other tasks deemed necessary.

In this context, Gaganyaan will enable India to achieve self-sufficiency in human spaceflight, allowing the country to set its own timelines rather than depending on costly contracts with foreign launch services. This initiative aligns with broader efforts to establish India's presence in space exploration.

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