India’s Gaganyaan Enters Final Phase, Crewed Flight Set for 2027

India’s ambitious human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan, has entered its final development phase with the first crewed mission now scheduled for early 2027. This marks a major leap in India’s space capabilities, showcasing the country’s growing self-reliance in high-end space technology and strengthening its position as a global space power.

Why in News?

On May 6, 2025, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced that India’s Gaganyaan mission has progressed to its concluding phase. The final crewed flight is now targeted for the first quarter of 2027, after the successful completion of earlier test missions. The update was given at a press briefing held at the National Media Centre, Delhi.

Background and Development Timeline

• Gaganyaan was approved in 2018 with a total outlay of ₹10,000 crore.
• It is India’s first human spaceflight mission under ISRO.
• Aims to send three astronauts into low-Earth orbit (LEO) for up to seven days.
• The programme was delayed by COVID-19 but has since gained significant momentum.

Recent Achievements and Milestones

• TV-D1 (Test Vehicle Abort Mission) was successfully completed earlier in 2025.
• TV-D2 mission is planned for later in 2025.
• Two uncrewed orbital flights will precede the final crewed mission in 2027.
• Recovery trials have been conducted with the Indian Navy, including sea recovery simulations.

Technological Progress

• Human-rated LVM3 rocket is in final stages of integration.
• The Crew Escape System, Crew Module, and Service Module are undergoing final tests.
• Significant advancements in robotics, electronics, materials, and biomedical tech have emerged.

Astronaut Training

• Four IAF pilots, now astronaut-designates, have completed basic training in Russia.
• They are undergoing mission-specific training in India.
• Their health and psychological readiness are continuously assessed.

Economic and Strategic Significance

• Gaganyaan showcases cost-efficiency, with significantly lower expenditure than other nations’ human spaceflight missions.
• Generated numerous technological spinoffs and encouraged private sector collaboration.
• Boosted Indian startups and MSMEs working in the aerospace domain.

Aligns with long-term goals like,

• Bharatiya Antariksha Station by 2035
• Indian astronaut on the Moon by 2040