ISRO chairman V Narayanan on Thursday said that Vyommitra, the half-humanoid robot designed for the Gaganyaan Mission, would fly aboard the first uncrewed test mission scheduled for launch at the end of this year.
Vyommitra, equipped with artificial intelligence, has been created to simulate human functions in space and will serve as the forerunner to astronauts who are expected to undertake India’s maiden human spaceflight. Its role will be to monitor cabin conditions such as pressure, temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide, while also interacting with onboard systems and providing live feedback.
“Work is going on. We have planned to send the unmanned spacecraft this December-end,” Narayanan said, adding that several safety measures had been integrated, including an escape system and nine parachutes to ensure safe splashdown in the sea.
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The Gaganyaan Mission is India’s most ambitious space endeavour to date, aiming to carry astronauts into a 400-kilometre orbit for three days before returning them safely to Earth. Preparations are underway with support from the Indian Air Force, Navy, Defence Research and Development Organisation, and several research institutions, reflecting its scale as a national project.
Vyommitra, first introduced in 2020, is programmed to recognise human voices and perform essential tasks such as operating switch panels and issuing system updates. Its deployment in the upcoming test flight will validate critical technologies and provide valuable insights before human crews are sent.
India’s entry into the exclusive club of nations capable of manned spaceflight will hinge on the success of these preparatory missions. The launch of Vyommitra is expected to mark a decisive step towards that goal, underscoring India’s growing aspirations in space exploration.
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