Archive · 23 Aug 2026
ISRO Targets Gaganyaan Uncrewed Launch Within Four Months
India’s space agency, ISRO, is preparing to test a spacecraft without people inside.
This test is called an uncrewed mission and could launch within four months.
It is part of the Gaganyaan programme, which aims to send Indian astronauts into space.
The test helps engineers check whether the rocket and spacecraft are safe.
ISRO says it has completed 8,000 tests so far.
The agency also wants to launch more satellites and work with private space companies.
India is planning future missions to the Moon, Venus and Mars.
ISRO also hopes to build an Indian space station by 2035.
ISRO Chairman V Narayanan said Gaganyaan’s first uncrewed mission is expected within four months.
The mission will test the human-spaceflight system before three uncrewed flights and a crewed mission.
ISRO has completed 8,000 tests and plans 12 satellites and eight launch-vehicle missions this financial year.
India’s space sector has grown to about 440 startups following reforms introduced in 2020.
ISRO is also planning Chandrayaan-4, Chandrayaan-5, a Venus mission, a Mars landing mission and a space station by 2035.
- Who
- ISRO, led by Chairman V Narayanan, is preparing the mission.
- What
- The first uncrewed test flight of the Gaganyaan human-spaceflight programme is being prepared.
- When
- The launch is expected within four months; the announcement was made during the Third National Space Day celebrations.
- Where
- The announcement was made in Ahmedabad; the launch location was not specified.
- Why
- The test is intended to validate the spacecraft and launch system before crewed missions.
- Programme
- Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme
- Expected launch
- Within four months
- Testing progress
- 8,000 tests completed, according to ISRO Chairman V Narayanan
- Planned missions
- Three uncrewed missions followed by a crewed mission
- Current-year targets
- 12 satellites and eight launch-vehicle missions
- Space startups
- About 440 Indian space startups
- Long-term goal
- An Indian space station by 2035