Prime Minister assesses the current state of the Gaganyaan Mission
Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over a high-level conference to examine the success of India's Gaganyaan Mission and to plan India's future space exploration efforts.
The Department of Space provided an in-depth summary of the Gaganyaan Mission, including numerous technologies established thus far, such as human-rated launch vehicles and system validation. It was mentioned that approximately 20 major tests are planned, including three uncrewed missions of the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3). The Crew Escape System Test Vehicle's first demonstration flight is slated for October 21. The meeting assessed the mission's readiness and confirmed its launch in 2025.
Building on the success of Indian space initiatives such as the recent Chandrayan-3 and Aditya L1 missions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed that India should now aim for new and ambitious goals such as establishing a 'Bharatiya Antariksha Station' (Indian Space Station) by 2035 and sending the first Indian to the Moon by 2040.
The Department of Space will create a roadmap for Moon exploration in order to realise this Vision. This will include a number of Chandrayaan flights, the creation of a Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), the construction of a new launch pad, the establishment of human-centric Laboratories, and the development of associated technologies.
The Prime Minister also urged Indian scientists to focus on interplanetary missions such as a Venus Orbiter Mission and a Mars Lander.
Prime Minister Modi expressed faith in India's capabilities and reaffirmed the country's resolve to reaching new heights in space exploration.