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In Short:
* PM Modi Reviews Gaganyaan Mission Readiness
* India Aims to Establish an Indian Space Station by 2035
* Ambitious Plan to Send an Indian Astronaut to the Moon by 2040
* India's Vision Includes Missions to Venus and Mars
New Delhi, October 17, 2023: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi recently presided over a significant high-level meeting dedicated to assessing the progress of India's Gaganyaan Mission, which aims to send humans into space, while also outlining a grand vision for India's future space exploration endeavors.
During the meeting, the Department of Space provided an extensive overview of the Gaganyaan Mission, highlighting the various technologies that have been developed thus far. These advancements include human-rated launch vehicles and system qualification. It was revealed that the mission is gearing up for approximately 20 major tests, which will encompass three uncrewed missions of the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3). An essential milestone, the first demonstration flight of the Crew Escape System Test Vehicle, is scheduled for October 21. Following this comprehensive assessment, the meeting confirmed that the Gaganyaan Mission is on track for a launch in 2025.
The Prime Minister, reflecting on the recent successes of Indian space initiatives, including the Chandrayan-3 and Aditya L1 Missions, underscored the need for India to set its sights on new and ambitious goals. Specifically, he directed the nation to work toward establishing the 'Bharatiya Antariksha Station' (Indian Space Station) by 2035 and sending the first Indian astronaut to the Moon by 2040. This marks a significant shift towards expanding India's presence in space exploration.
To achieve this lofty vision, the Department of Space will be responsible for developing a comprehensive roadmap for lunar exploration. This will entail a series of Chandrayaan missions, the creation of a Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), the construction of a new launch pad, and the establishment of human-centric laboratories and related technologies.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Modi called upon India's scientific community to take on interplanetary missions. These ambitions include a Venus Orbiter Mission and a Mars Lander, solidifying India's position on the global stage as a formidable player in space exploration.
Prime Minister Modi expressed unwavering confidence in India's capabilities and affirmed the nation's resolute commitment to reaching new heights in space exploration.