Wednesday, February 4, 2026
ADVT 
India

'Gaganyaan' To Take Indian Astronaut To Space By 2022, Rakesh Sharma Gives A Thumbs-Up

IANS, 15 Aug, 2018 12:14 PM
    Prior to the actual launch by 2022, the Indian Space Research Organisation will have two unmanned missions and spacecraft will be fired using Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-III, Mr Sivan said.
     
     
    Technologies that will help in sending an Indian astronaut to space - like human crew module and environment control and life support system - have already been developed, ISRO chairman K Sivan said today.
     
     
    Prior to the actual launch by 2022, the Indian Space Research Organisation will have two unmanned missions and spacecraft will be fired using Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-III, Mr Sivan said.
     
     
    "We have already developed the technology like human crew module, environment control and life support system. Before undertaking the launch, we will have two unmanned missions. We will use GLSV Mark-III for this project," Mr Sivan told.
     
     
    His remarks came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in his Independence Day address that India will attempt a manned mission into space by 2022 on board 'Gaganyaan'.
     
     
    If successful, India would be the fourth nation to achieve that feat.
     
     
    Rakesh Sharma, a former IAF pilot, was the first Indian to travel to space. Mr Sharma was a part of Soviet Union's Soyuz T-11 expedition, launched on April 2, 1984, as part of the Intercosmos programme.
     
     
    Indian-born Kalpana Chawla and Indian-origin Sunita Williams are among the known names to have gone to the space.
     
     
    Ms Chawla was one of the seven crew members who perished in the space shuttle Columbia's disaster during its re-entry to the Earth's atmosphere.
     
     
    In December 2014, he announced India will launch SAARC satellite as a "gift" to its neighbours.
     
     
    The satellite, later rechristened South Asian satellite, was launched in May 2017.
     
     
    K Radhakrishnan, former ISRO chairman under whose leadership the Mangalyaan mission was launched in 2013, termed the announcement of Gaganyaan mission a "turning point" for ISRO.
     
     
    ISRO is known for its space programme, focus on projects that matter to the day-day lives of people.
     
     
    However of late, it has launched missions like Chandrayaan-1 (moon mission) and Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission) that has aroused tremendous interest among people.
     
     
    It will launch Chandrayaan-2, which will land a rover on the moon, next year.
     
     
    The first Indian to venture into space, former Indian Air Force pilot Rakesh Sharma, today gave his thumbs up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's plan to have a national space mission by 2022. Rakesh Sharma said the ambitious mission, which plans to send an Indian into space, is "a coming of age" and a "natural corollary" of every space programme.
     
     
    "If we wish to improve our existence on Earth, we need to ensure that future ventures in outer space, ought to work for the greater good of humankind back on Earth" he said, adding that future ventures into outer space are "not, solely, for the benefit of one or another nation."
     
     
    Astronaut Wing Commander (Retd) Rakesh Sharma was a part of Russia's (formerly the USSR) Soyuz T-11 space mission. The expedition was launched on April 2, 1984.
     
     
    Coined 'Gaganyaan', the 2022 space mission, according to ISRO chairman Dr K Sivan, will cost around Rs. 9,000 crore and will run on a "very, very tight schedule".

    MORE India ARTICLES

    AAP Removes Sukhpal Khaira, Appoints Harpal Cheema As Leader Of Opposition In Punjab

    AAP Removes Sukhpal Khaira, Appoints Harpal Cheema As Leader Of Opposition In Punjab
    The Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday removed Sukhpal Singh Khaira as the Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly and announced Dirba MLA Harpal Singh Cheema would take his place.

    AAP Removes Sukhpal Khaira, Appoints Harpal Cheema As Leader Of Opposition In Punjab

    Man Who Inspired ‘3 Idiots’ Phunsuk Wangdu Wins Ramon Magsaysay Award

    Man Who Inspired ‘3 Idiots’ Phunsuk Wangdu Wins Ramon Magsaysay Award
    Youk Chhang from Cambodia, Maria de Lourdes Martins Cruz from East Timor, Howard Dee from the Philippines and Vo Thi Hoang Yen rom Vietnam are other winners of the award

    Man Who Inspired ‘3 Idiots’ Phunsuk Wangdu Wins Ramon Magsaysay Award

    12-Year-Old Allegedly Kills Self. Humiliated Over School Fee, Say Parents

    12-Year-Old Allegedly Kills Self. Humiliated Over School Fee, Say Parents
    The boy's family has alleged that he killed himself after he was sent back home by school authorities over non-payment of fee, police said.

    12-Year-Old Allegedly Kills Self. Humiliated Over School Fee, Say Parents

    Delhi Man Suffering Heart Failure Cheats Death 13 Times. How He Survived

    Delhi Man Suffering Heart Failure Cheats Death 13 Times. How He Survived
    LVAD is a pump that is used for patients who have reached end-stage of heart failure. It is inserted inside the patient with thin wire emerging out of the body linked to a power source outside.

    Delhi Man Suffering Heart Failure Cheats Death 13 Times. How He Survived

    Punjab Victim Of ‘Narco Terrorism’, Grant It Special Status: Minister Brahm Mohindra

    Punjab Victim Of ‘Narco Terrorism’, Grant It Special Status: Minister Brahm Mohindra
    The clamour for special category status to the state was raised by Punjab Health Minister Brahm Mohindra in a letter to Union Health Minister JP Nadda.

    Punjab Victim Of ‘Narco Terrorism’, Grant It Special Status: Minister Brahm Mohindra

    18-Year-Old Woman Allegedly Commits Suicide In Delhi College

    The phone of the woman has been seized, the official said, adding that her family had been informed.

    18-Year-Old Woman Allegedly Commits Suicide In Delhi College