India’s first Crewed Spaceflight Set For Early 2027 Launch

08 May 2025 CW Team

The minister, who holds charge of the Department of Space, said key technological milestones—including the TV-D1 abort test and the first uncrewed test vehicle mission—have been successfully completed. The second test vehicle mission (TV-D2) is planned for later in 2025, followed by uncrewed orbital flights that will set the stage for India’s first crewed space launch.

The human-rated LVM3 launch vehicle, Crew Module, Service Module, and Crew Escape System are all in advanced stages of testing and integration. Simultaneously, recovery trials with the Indian Navy have been conducted, with further sea simulations scheduled in the coming months.

Four Indian Air Force pilots selected as astronaut-designates have finished training in Russia and are currently undergoing mission-specific training in India. Their health and readiness are being closely monitored at the astronaut training centre.

Calling Gaganyaan a “historic mission,” Dr. Singh highlighted its strategic and symbolic importance, describing it as a reflection of India’s growing self-reliance and cost-effective innovation in space. The minister also reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, which includes building an Indian space station by 2035 and sending an Indian astronaut to the Moon by 2040.

He noted that India’s human spaceflight programme is being carried out at a fraction of the cost compared to global counterparts, but with far-reaching benefits. “Gaganyaan is driving innovation across sectors such as robotics, materials science, electronics, and medicine, while also deepening industry participation,” he said.

ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan echoed these sentiments, stating that Gaganyaan represents India’s rise as a spacefaring nation, inspiring future generations of engineers, scientists, and startups.

With India set to become one of the few countries capable of independently sending humans into space, Gaganyaan marks a major leap in India’s technological, strategic, and economic ambitions in outer space.

India’s maiden human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, has entered its final development phase and is now scheduled for launch in the first quarter of 2027, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced during a media briefing at the National Media Centre.The minister, who holds charge of the Department of Space, said key technological milestones—including the TV-D1 abort test and the first uncrewed test vehicle mission—have been successfully completed. The second test vehicle mission (TV-D2) is planned for later in 2025, followed by uncrewed orbital flights that will set the stage for India’s first crewed space launch.The human-rated LVM3 launch vehicle, Crew Module, Service Module, and Crew Escape System are all in advanced stages of testing and integration. Simultaneously, recovery trials with the Indian Navy have been conducted, with further sea simulations scheduled in the coming months.Four Indian Air Force pilots selected as astronaut-designates have finished training in Russia and are currently undergoing mission-specific training in India. Their health and readiness are being closely monitored at the astronaut training centre.Calling Gaganyaan a “historic mission,” Dr. Singh highlighted its strategic and symbolic importance, describing it as a reflection of India’s growing self-reliance and cost-effective innovation in space. The minister also reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, which includes building an Indian space station by 2035 and sending an Indian astronaut to the Moon by 2040.He noted that India’s human spaceflight programme is being carried out at a fraction of the cost compared to global counterparts, but with far-reaching benefits. “Gaganyaan is driving innovation across sectors such as robotics, materials science, electronics, and medicine, while also deepening industry participation,” he said.ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan echoed these sentiments, stating that Gaganyaan represents India’s rise as a spacefaring nation, inspiring future generations of engineers, scientists, and startups.With India set to become one of the few countries capable of independently sending humans into space, Gaganyaan marks a major leap in India’s technological, strategic, and economic ambitions in outer space.

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

VECV Sales Rise 7.8 Per Cent In May 2026

VE Commercial Vehicles recorded sales of 7,978 units in May 2026, compared to 7,401 units in May 2025, registering growth of 7.8 per cent. This included 7,789 units from the Eicher brand and 189 units from the Volvo brand.Eicher branded trucks and buses reported sales of 7,789 units during the month, up 7.3 per cent from 7,258 units a year earlier. In the domestic commercial vehicle market, Eicher sales rose 9.1 per cent to 7,375 units from 6,758 units in May 2025.Exports declined 17.2 per cent to 414 units from 500 units in the corresponding month last year. Volvo Trucks and Volvo Buses recor..

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

Table Space Strengthens DESYN Leadership Team

Table Space has announced strategic leadership appointments within DESYN, its integrated Design and Build business, as it looks to strengthen operations across key enterprise and GCC markets in India. DESYN was launched as a strategic extension of Table Space’s workspace solutions portfolio to meet rising demand for agile, high-quality and rapidly deployable enterprise workspaces.Shruti Ookabhoy has joined DESYN as Executive Director and will lead the Design vertical, focusing on design capability, operational excellence and team development across markets. She brings over 22 years of experi..

Infrastructure Transport

02 Jun 2026

Concord Associate Bags Rs 2.79 Bn Kavach Order

Concord Control Systems said its associate company, Progota India, has received a Rs 2.79 bn domestic order from Indian Railways for the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of on-board Kavach 4.0 loco equipment.The order is scheduled for execution within 12 months and strengthens Concord’s role in India’s railway safety and signalling ecosystem. Kavach is India’s indigenous automatic train protection system, designed to improve operational safety by helping prevent signal passing at danger and reducing collision risks.Gaurav Lath, Joint Managing Director, Concord Control Syst..