India first human spaceflight mission Gaganyaan to be launched by year-end: ISRO chief

Bengaluru: India’s ambitious space exploration program is gearing up for a historic milestone, with its first human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, set to launch by the end of 2024, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman S Somnath said on Friday.

Speaking at a space expo here, Somnath confirmed that preparations for the Gaganyaan mission are nearing completion.

“Gaganyaan is ready for launch, and we are targeting liftoff by the end of this year,” he said, adding The mission will see India join an elite group of nations capable of sending humans into space.

Gaganyaan, which was approved in 2018, represents India’s maiden attempt to send astronauts into low-Earth orbit. It marks a pivotal moment in the country’s space journey, with the mission designed to test cutting-edge technologies essential for human space exploration, including long-duration spaceflight and safe re-entry to Earth’s atmosphere.

The mission also reflects India's broader ambitions to assert itself as a major space power. Following the government approval, ISRO’s long-term plans include developing the Bhartiya Antariksh Station, the country’s first space station, by 2035, and sending astronauts on a crewed lunar mission by 2040.

Somnath also shed light on ISRO’s upcoming Chandrayaan-4 lunar mission. The engineering phase is complete, and the project has received Cabinet approval to move ahead. Unlike its predecessors, Chandrayaan-4 will require two launches due to the expanded size of its satellite, which will incorporate five modules.

The mission will focus on showcasing critical technologies for a successful lunar landing and safe return to Earth, with an expected completion by 2040.

India gained worldwide recognition with its Chandrayaan-3 mission in 2023, which made a successful landing near the moon’s south pole—a feat that elevated the country’s status in global space exploration.

With Gaganyaan and Chandrayaan-4, India is poised to solidify its place among the world’s leading space-faring nations. These missions are not just about technological achievements; they reflect India’s determination to push boundaries and lay the groundwork for the next generation of space exploration.