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.