India’s Minister Jitendra Singh announced a bold space exploration program, including the establishment of a space station by 2035, a crewed lunar mission by 2040, and a deep-sea mission reaching depths of 6,000 meters. The Gaganyaan mission, aiming to send the first Indian astronaut into space, is also on track for launch by 2026.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for the first Integrated Air-Drop Test of the Gaganyaan Crew Module, a critical step towards validating the parachute system and capsule for the safe return of astronauts from space. The test will involve dropping the crew module from approximately 3.5 to 4 kilometers altitude using an Indian Air Force helicopter, assessing the functionality, deployment, tensions, and descent of the parachutes during a controlled splashdown in the Bay of Bengal.
