First Test Abort Flight Of India's Maiden Manned Space Mission Planned In May: Govt

The government on Wednesday (15 March) said that the first of the four test abort flights of India's first manned space mission Gaganyaan is planned in May this year.

"The first test vehicle mission, TV-D1, is planned in May 2023, followed by the second test vehicle TV-D2 mission and first uncrewed mission of Gaganyaan (LVM3-G1) in the first quarter of 2024," Union Minister of State for Space Jitendra Singh said in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

The minister said that the Gaganyaan Advisory Council has recommended testing of Crew Escape System and deceleration systems through four abort missions using Test Vehicle (TV) and Integrated Air Drop Tests before proceeding with crewed missions.

"This is in addition to the two uncrewed missions planned earlier," he added.

After the first uncrewed mission in Q1 of 2024, the second series of test vehicle missions (TV-D3& D4) and LVM3-G2 mission with robotic payload is planned next, the minister said.

"The Crewed mission is planned by end of 2024 based on the outcome of the successful test vehicle and uncrewed missions," the minister added.

"The total expenditure incurred for Gaganyaan program as on 30th October 2022 is Rs 3,040 crore," the minister said, adding that all the budgeted items for Gaganyaan have been already committed for identified activities.

In reply to a separate question, Singh said that the scope of Gaganyaan programme is to demonstrate human spaceflight capability to Low Earth Orbit and safe return.

He added that the budget of Rs. 9023 crore is allocated towards achieving the objectives of Gaganyaan mission.