India's Maiden Human Space Flight Gaganyaan Expected To Launch In 2024: Jitendra Singh

The Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said on Wednesday that India's maiden human space flight, 'Gaganyaan, is targeted to be launched in the fourth quarter of 2024. The test vehicle missions will illustrate the performance of the squad getaway system and parachute-based slowdown system for distinct flight situations. 

The Union Minister of State Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh said this in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha. He said that given the paramount significance of unit safety, two test vehicle missions are prepared before the Gaganyaan mission. These test vehicle missions will illustrate the performance of the squad getaway system and parachute-based slowdown system for distinct flight situations. 

The uncrewed Gaganyaan mission is targeted to be launched in the last quarter of 2023. The second uncrewed mission will be in the second quarter of 2024, before the conclusive human space flight in the fourth quarter of 2024, Singh informed. He added that the first uncrewed flight of the Gaganyaan program is intended to validate the performance of Human rated launch vehicles, Orbital module propulsion systems, mission management, communication system, and recovery operations.

The Minister notified that the astronauts assigned for human space flight assignments are specified and are presently going through their mission-specific training at Bengaluru. The 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.

Regular physical wellness sessions, aeromedical training, and flying practice are also aspects of crew training. Corresponding evaluation and assessment training have also been completed. The second semester of crew training is in progress, Singh stated.