India's first human space mission, Gaganyaan, and its inaugural Deep Sea mission, Samudrayaan, are set to take place by 2025, according to Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh.
Announcing the ambitious projects at a media event on Thursday, Singh highlighted India's advancements in space and ocean exploration.
Gaganyaan will see a crew of four astronauts embarking on a three-day mission orbiting 400 km above Earth. The selected astronauts include three Group Captains, Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan, and Angad Pratap, along with Wing Commander Shubanshu Shukla. This mission marks a significant milestone in India's space exploration efforts.
The Deep Sea mission, Samudrayaan, will involve a crewed expedition to a depth of 6,000 meters in the central Indian Ocean. The mission will use the Matsya6000, an indigenously developed manned submersible vehicle by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Singh emphasized the broader impact of the space sector, stating, "The space sector is not limited to launching rockets and satellites but will also propel growth and positively impact agriculture, infrastructure development, and communication."
He also mentioned initiatives aimed at boosting farm productivity, such as land record management, the new geospatial policy, the new space policy, and programs like the soil health card, direct benefit transfer, and land mapping.
The minister highlighted the rapid growth of startups in the space sector, noting that their number has increased from just one in 2022 to 200, with many achieving global capabilities. He also shared how the space sector has attracted over Rs 1,000 crore in private sector investment in just a few months.
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