Vyommitra to Precede India’s Gaganyaan Mission in 2024

February 5, 2024

India is planning for a manned space mission Gaganyaan in 2025. But before human astronauts launch, a space-bound “robot friend” named Vyommitra will fly to space later this year to test critical systems. This female humanoid robot is equipped to simulate human functions within the spacecraft’s orbit.

About Vyommitra

The name Vyommitra (Vyom – Space, Mitra – Friend) is a half-humanoid robot weighing 40 kg developed by ISRO. By simulating human activities aboard the spacecraft, Vyommitra will allow ISRO engineers to fully test the Gaganyaan module’s habitability and safety prior to crewed flights.

Vyommitra can operate several control panels within the orbital module. It can monitor parameters within the spacecraft module, alert ground control of issues, and perform essential life support operations during the mission. It can also respond to queries and conversations during the mission using artificial intelligence capabilities. Her deployment will pave the way for future Gaganyaan flights to space.

About Gagayanyaan Mission

Gaganyaan mission has been under development for several years with the goal of sending Indian astronauts to low Earth orbit by 2025. This will mark India’s first human spaceflight as only the 4th nation with independent manned mission capabilities, after Russia, U.S, and China. As part of preparations, ISRO successfully conducted the first uncrewed orbital test flight of Gaganyaan’s spacecraft systems last year. This qualified crew escape and parachute landing systems. ISRO has also completed evaluations certifying the compatibility of all launch vehicle systems for human passengers.

Timeline of Upcoming Launches

Vyommitra’s week-long orbital mission is now scheduled for the 3rd quarter of 2024. This will lay the groundwork for the subsequent Gaganyaan flights to launch after 2024. Likely in 2025, a three-person crew will conduct microgravity experiments during a 5-to-7-day maiden voyage marking India’s historic human spaceflight achievement.

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