Gaganyaan’s Unmanned Test Delayed Due to Weather: ISRO Chief S Somnath

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has postponed the launch of the Gaganyaan mission’s uncrewed flight test, known as the Test Vehicle Development Flight Mission-1 (TV-D1 Flight Test), scheduled from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. Originally set for 8:00 a.m., the launch was delayed to 8:30 a.m. due to adverse weather conditions and later put on hold.

This crucial mission aims to demonstrate India’s ability to send humans into space and bring them back safely. The test flight, focused on the Crew Escape system’s performance, will also evaluate safe landing procedures in the Bay of Bengal after the rocket launch. Successful execution of this mission would mark a significant milestone in India’s space exploration efforts.

Around 20 major tests, including three uncrewed missions of the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3), are planned as part of the Gaganyaan project. The ultimate goal of this project is to launch a crew of three members into a 400-kilometre orbit for a 3-day mission and safely return them to Earth, landing in the Indian sea waters. If successful, India will become the fourth nation to achieve a manned spaceflight mission, following the United States, Russia, and China.

This initiative follows India’s recent space achievements, such as the Chandrayan-3 and Aditya L1 Missions. Prime Minister Modi has directed the nation to pursue ambitious goals, including establishing the ‘Bharatiya Antariksha Station’ (Indian Space Station) by 2035 and sending the first Indian astronaut to the Moon by 2040.