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India Plans Gaganyaan, Venus Mission and Broader Space Expansion
India is preparing to do more ambitious space missions.
Its Gaganyaan programme aims to send three astronauts into orbit for three days.
Before that, an uncrewed test mission is planned for late 2026.
India also wants to build a space station called the Bharatiya Antariksh Station.
The first part could be launched in 2028, with the station targeted to operate by 2035.
India plans to send a spacecraft to Venus in March 2028 to learn about the planet.
Scientists are also working on spacecraft docking so vehicles can connect and transfer people, samples and supplies.
New engines and partly reusable rockets could help carry heavier payloads and lower launch costs.
These projects are intended to strengthen India’s human spaceflight, planetary exploration and space technology capabilities.
The Gaganyaan programme will send three Indian astronauts to a 400-kilometre orbit for three days, with a crewed mission targeted for 2027.
An uncrewed Gaganyaan technology-validation mission, including the Vyommitra half-humanoid, is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026.
India plans the five-module Bharatiya Antariksh Station, with its first module targeted for launch in 2028 and operations by 2035.
The Venus Orbiter Mission is targeted for March 2028 to study Venus’s geology, atmosphere and ionosphere while testing aerobraking and thermal management.
The Indian Space Research Organisation is developing docking systems, powerful and reusable launch vehicles, and advanced propulsion technologies.
- Who
- The Government of India and the Indian Space Research Organisation are leading the planned programmes, involving Indian astronauts and space technology teams.
- What
- India is expanding its plans for human spaceflight, a space station, Venus exploration, orbital docking and more powerful or reusable launch vehicles.
- Where
- The missions will operate in Earth orbit and involve exploration of Venus; the programme is being developed in India.
- When
- An uncrewed Gaganyaan mission is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026; the crewed mission for 2027; BAS-01 for 2028; Venus Orbiter Mission for March 2028; and station operations for 2035.
- Why
- The efforts are intended to build sustained human-spaceflight, planetary-exploration and advanced space-technology capabilities and support India’s ambition to become a leading global space power.
Key facts
- Gaganyaan budget and scope
- The programme’s revised September 2024 scope covers eight missions with a total outlay of Rs 20,193 crore.
- Gaganyaan crewed mission
- Three Indian astronauts are planned to spend three days in a 400-kilometre orbit, with the mission targeted for 2027.
- Uncrewed test
- The first uncrewed experimental mission, including the Vyommitra half-humanoid, is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026.
- Bharatiya Antariksh Station
- The planned five-module station is targeted for operationalisation by 2035, with BAS-01 planned for launch by 2028.
- Venus Orbiter Mission
- The mission is targeted for March 2028 and will study Venus’s geology, atmosphere and ionosphere.
- Semi-cryogenic engine
- The Indian Space Research Organisation is developing a semi-cryogenic engine with 200 tonnes of thrust.
- Reusable launch technology
- Vertical take-off and vertical landing tests, a winged re-entry vehicle and LOX-methane propulsion are under development for future reusable launch systems.
Sources
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