Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh today said that ISRO is on the verge of launching the first Indian into space. Briefing media in New Delhi today, the Minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced India’s maiden human spaceflight programme – Gaganyaan during his Independence Day speech.
Mr Modi had declared in his speech that under Gaganyaan, a son or daughter of India will go to space from Indian soil in an Indian vehicle by 2022 or sooner. Dr Singh also said that country’s weather forecast is now 100 percent accurate as Radar and Satellite information is being combined now.
Addressing media, ISRO Chairperson K Sivan said Gaganyaan’s benefits would be to enhance science and technology capabilities of the country. He added that three astronauts will stay for 7 days during Gaganyaan’s tour.
The spacecraft will be placed in a low earth orbit of 300 to 400 kilometres. The total programme cost is expected to be less than 10 thousand crore rupees.
GSLV MK III launch vehicle, which has the necessary payload capability for this mission will be used to launch Gaganyaan. Two unmanned Gaganyaan missions will be undertaken before sending humans.
