BENGALURU, Sept 19: India’s ambitious Gaganyaan programme, which aims to send Indian astronauts into space and bring them back safely, is moving forward with the first crewed mission now scheduled for early 2027, ISRO Chairman V Narayanan announced on Thursday.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Hydrogen Fuel National Workshop in Bengaluru, Narayanan said that about 80 to 85 per cent of the development work has already been completed.
“The first uncrewed mission is planned for December this year, where a humanoid will be sent to test spacecraft systems. Two more uncrewed missions will follow, after which, under the directions of the Prime Minister, the first crewed flight is targeted for the first quarter of 2027,” Narayanan said.
While the human spaceflight programme remains the highlight, Narayanan stressed that ISRO is also focusing on advancing technologies to benefit the nation. “Space technology today supports citizens in food security, water management, fisheries monitoring, broadcasting, navigation, telecommunication, and even telemedicine,” he said.
In a key development, ISRO is building a 60–70 ton cryogenic upper stage for rockets a vital step toward future manned lunar missions. “We are conceiving a rocket capable of carrying humans to the Moon. This heavy-lift upper stage is under development and is critical for deep space exploration,” Narayanan noted.
ISRO is also working on next-generation liquid hydrogen–liquid oxygen propulsion systems to build more efficient and powerful rockets. These improvements, he said, will enable complex missions, including human lunar travel and deep-space exploration.
Highlighting ISRO’s push for sustainability, Narayanan underlined the importance of hydrogen fuel. “Hydrogen is a clean and green fuel, producing only water vapor when used with liquid oxygen. Beyond rockets, it has potential in automobiles, turbines, fuel cells, and future aircraft engines,” he said.
The Hydrogen Fuel National Workshop served as a platform for scientists, engineers, and industry experts to collaborate on innovations in hydrogen-based technologies, focusing on safety, design, and handling.
Narayanan emphasised that a strong space programme is not only vital for national security and scientific achievement but also key to positioning India among global leaders in space innovation.
With its milestones in satellite launches, lunar exploration, and the upcoming Gaganyaan crewed mission in 2027, ISRO is poised to further cement India’s place in the global space race.