First uncrewed Gaganyaan mission with Vyommitra targeted in Q4 2026; BAS by 2035
Minister Jitendra Singh told the Rajya Sabha on 6 August 2026 that the first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission carrying the half-humanoid Vyommitra is targeted in the fourth quarter of 2026 and the Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035.
Summary
Union Minister Jitendra Singh told the Rajya Sabha on 6 August 2026 that India's human spaceflight programme Gaganyaan has achieved key human-rating milestones. The Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3) has completed development and ground testing of all propulsion stages, and the TV-D1 test vehicle mission validated the Crew Escape System in flight, with work on TV-D2 in progress. The first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission carrying the half-humanoid Vyommitra is targeted in the fourth quarter of 2026, followed by two more uncrewed missions by 2027 before the first crewed flight. The Bharatiya Antariksh Station is planned to be operational by 2035.
Key facts
- First uncrewed mission
- Carrying Vyommitra, Q4 2026
- Next
- Two more uncrewed missions by 2027, then crewed flight
- Launch vehicle
- HLVM3 – ground testing of all stages done
- Test vehicle
- TV-D1 validated Crew Escape System; TV-D2 in progress
- Bharatiya Antariksh Station
- Operational by 2035
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Which half-humanoid will fly on the first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission, targeted in the fourth quarter of 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Vyommitra
The first uncrewed experimental Gaganyaan mission will carry the half-humanoid Vyommitra.
By which year is the Bharatiya Antariksh Station planned to be operationalised, as stated in the Rajya Sabha in August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 2035
The Bharatiya Antariksh Station is planned to be operationalised by 2035.
Consider the following statements about the Gaganyaan programme as of August 2026: 1. The TV-D1 test vehicle mission validated the Crew Escape System in flight. 2. The first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission is targeted in the second quarter of 2026. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The first uncrewed mission is targeted in the fourth quarter of 2026.