Shukla Says Vyomitra Can Replace Animal Testing in Spaceflight

India is preparing for human spaceflight through its Gaganyaan program.

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla said technology has advanced greatly since early space missions.

He said a modern mobile phone has more processing power than the computer used for the Apollo missions.

ISRO plans to send Vyomitra, a humanoid robot, inside the spacecraft during early test flights.

The robot will measure things such as temperature, pressure, vibrations and sound.

Scientists can use the measurements to learn what the capsule is like inside and make changes if needed.

ISRO plans three flights without astronauts before people are cleared to fly.

Shukla said this approach means animals do not need to be used to study these spaceflight conditions.