India’s Robot Astronaut Vyommitra To Embark On Space Mission Ahead Of Manned Mission Gaganyaan

New Delhi: India’s first female humanoid robot astronaut, Vyommitra, will be sent into space ahead of the ambitious Gaganyaan manned mission scheduled to be launched in 2025, Union Minister of Science and Technology Jitendra Singh has announced.

The Minister informed ‘Vyommitra’ Mission is scheduled for the third quarter of this year, while the manned mission ‘Gaganyaan’ is scheduled to be launched in 2025.

Derived from Sanskrit words Vyoma meaning space and Mitra meaning friend, Vyommitra has been designed in such a manner as to stimulate human functions in space conditions and engage with the life support system.

Vyommitra can monitor module parameters, issue alerts, and conduct life support operations. It can operate six panels and respond to inquiries.

Developed by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Vyommitra will embark on her journey into space before the space research organisation’s Gaganyaan mission in which three Indian astronauts will be sent into space for seven days to study its effects and conduct zero-gravity experiments.

The Minister said Gaganyaan aims to demonstrate India’s capabilities in human spaceflight. The mission involves launching a crew of astronauts into an orbit approximately 400 kilometers above Earth and ensuring their safe return.

Vyommitra made its first appearance in 2021 during the inaugural session of Human Spaceflight and Exploration – Present Challenges and Future Trends.