ISRO First Human Spaceflight mission Gaganyaan 2025 - sending Vyommitra, a humanoid robot for pretest

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has been working tirelessly on the ambitious Gaganyaan mission, aimed at sending Indian astronauts to low Earth orbit by 2025. But before human crew members set foot inside the spacecraft, a unique space traveller named Vyommitra will undertake a crucial test flight to the final frontier.

Vyommitra - The Robot Companion:

Vyommitra, a half-humanoid female robot weighing 40 kg, is being groomed as a precursor to the crewed Gaganyaan mission. By taking on the mantle of a space-borne "robot friend", Vyommitra will play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and readiness of the spacecraft for India's maiden human spaceflight.

The name Vyommitra, derived from the Sanskrit words 'Vyom' meaning space and 'Mitra' signifying friend, is indicative of the robot's mission - to serve as a companion to India's first astronauts, assisting them during their historic journey into the unknown. Equipped with a range of advanced capabilities, Vyommitra is designed to simulate human functions within the spacecraft, allowing ISRO engineers to extensively test and validate the Gaganyaan module's habitability and life support systems.

Vyommitra's list of responsibilities & Capabilities

The robot will be tasked with operating various control panels within the orbital module, monitoring critical parameters such as air quality, pressure levels, and temperature, and alerting ground control of any issues or anomalies that may arise. Additionally, Vyommitra is programmed to perform essential life support operations, ensuring the well-being of the crew during the mission.

But Vyommitra's capabilities extend far beyond mere technical functions. With advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, the robot can engage in conversations, respond to queries from astronauts, and provide companionship during the isolation of space travel. This unique feature not only enhances the crew's experience but also serves as a testament to India's technological prowess in the field of robotics and AI.

Vyommitra's week-long orbital mission, scheduled for the third quarter of 2024, will serve as a crucial dress rehearsal for the subsequent Gaganyaan flights. By successfully completing this uncrewed test flight, ISRO will gain invaluable insights into the spacecraft's performance, allowing them to fine-tune and refine systems before risking human lives.

The Gaganyaan Mission

The Gaganyaan mission itself has been a long-standing dream for India's space programme, and its successful execution will mark a significant milestone in the country's scientific and technological achievements. The mission's origins can be traced back to the early 2000s, when ISRO began exploring the possibility of human spaceflight. However, it wasn't until 2018 that the project received formal approval from the Indian government, with a budget allocation of Rs 10,000 crore (approximately $1.5 billion).

Since then, ISRO has been working relentlessly to develop and test the various components required for the mission. In December 2022, the space agency successfully conducted the first uncrewed orbital test flight of Gaganyaan's spacecraft systems, qualifying the crew escape and parachute landing systems. This was followed by a series of evaluations and certifications, ensuring the compatibility of all launch vehicle systems for human passengers.

Gaganyaan Mission Profile

The Gaganyaan mission will see a three-person crew, comprising two Indian astronauts and one international astronaut, embark on a historic journey to low Earth orbit. During their five-to-seven-day voyage, the crew will conduct a range of microgravity experiments, furthering our understanding of the effects of space on the human body and paving the way for future, more ambitious missions.

The crew will be launched into space aboard a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mk III, India's most powerful rocket to date. The spacecraft will be equipped with a crew module, designed to support the astronauts during their journey, and a service module, responsible for providing crucial functions such as propulsion, power, and communication.

Upon completing their mission, the crew will return to Earth via a controlled descent, splashing down in the Indian Ocean where they will be recovered by ISRO's naval support team.

Significance and Future Plans:

The successful completion of the Gaganyaan mission will not only cement India's position as a space-faring nation but will also open up a world of possibilities for future missions. ISRO has already set its sights on more ambitious goals, such as establishing a permanent human presence in space, collaborating with international partners on a manned mission to the Moon, and even exploring the possibility of a crewed mission to Mars.

But before India can dream of conquering the stars, it must first conquer the challenges of human spaceflight. And that's where Vyommitra comes in. By serving as a test pilot for the Gaganyaan mission, this robotic trailblazer will pave the way for India's human astronauts to make their mark in history, ushering in a new era of space exploration for the country.

As India stands on the precipice of this historic achievement, the world watches with bated breath, eagerly anticipating the moment when the first Indian astronauts take their place among the stars. And when that moment arrives, it will be thanks to the pioneering spirit of ISRO and the unwavering determination of a robotic companion named Vyommitra, who will have already blazed a trail into the unknown, ensuring that the path to the final frontier is safe and secure for those who follow.