India's much-awaited human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, is all set to blast off in early 2027, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said on Monday. Posed as a breakthrough moment in India's march towards space self-reliance, the announcement marks a daring jump forward for the scientific ambition of the country. Responding to the media, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology revealed extensive information regarding the astronauts, mission objectives, and broader research being undertaken under India's growing space programme.
Indian Astronaut to Perform Sophisticated Experiments in Space
Singh announced Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, one of the four astronauts chosen for Gaganyaan, will carry out crucial research on an international mission prior to India's crewed flight. His research will deal with physical, cognitive, and physiological reactions in space, including the effects of employing continuous electronic displays under microgravity conditions — critical information for subsequent long-duration missions.
Shukla's job entails the study of muscle degradation in space and assessment of therapy options to address this problem. He will also conduct experiments on extremophiles such as tardigrades, hardy microorganisms that may provide leads for sustaining life outside Earth. The minister referred to this position as a national pride, citing the Indian astronaut's well-defined scientific contribution to the international space mission.
Gaganyaan Crew and International Partnerships
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will be joined by Prasanth Nair, Angad Pratap, and Ajit Krishnan in the Gaganyaan crew, while Group Captain P.B. Nair has been named as the backup for the Axiom-4 mission. Dr Singh said discussions about sending an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station had been held during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the United States.
The minister welcomed policy enablers made after 2014, which have tilted the space industry open to private sector participation and citizens. They have reiterated India's leadership in the emerging NewSpace economy and facilitated wider global partnerships.
Space, Oceans, and Clean Energy offer insights into India's larger technology vision
Updating on Gaganyaan's development, Dr Singh confirmed trial stages are ongoing, with the launch planned in early 2027. Such missions he described as a game-changer for India's space ecosystem and key to attaining Atmanirbharta in the space sector.
India's space economy is projected to rise from $8 billion to $44 billion in the near term. Dr Singh added the historic 2014 move of opening the space sector for private enterprise and foreign direct investment was a watershed moment for India's space odyssey.
The minister also emphasised the government's interest in human exploration beyond space, such as deep-sea exploration. India's enormous coastal resources are still untapped, he stated, and the Deep Ocean Mission will strive to unlock their potential.
Singh also spoke of India's transition to clean energy. With more financial support, Bharat Small Modular Reactors are in the process of being developed. They form the principal component of India's plan to achieve its net zero ambitions by 2070.
Referring to civil aviation, he mentioned the increasing need for pilots in India. Supporting this, CSIR-NAL has constructed a two-seater training aircraft, and attempts are being made to ramp up production of the Electric Hansa (e-Hansa) with private companies.
Singh ended on a note that these efforts point towards a new era in Indian scientific success, with international collaborations and a blueprint-like approach towards becoming self-sufficient in key technologies.
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