'First Step In Last Leg Of Gaganyaan Mission': MoS Jitendra Singh, Scientists On Successful Test Flight

The successful launch of Gaganyaan's maiden test flight has cleared the way for the next three tests before ISRO sends the country's female robot, Vyommitra, to space.

Gaganyaan Test Flight: The scientist community has expressed joy over the successful launch of Mission Gaganyaanm's first test flight on Saturday, which initially witnessed some glitch, but was later carried out as planned. Wishes are pouring in for the scientists of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for achieving this feat. Sharing his views, Union Minister MoS (independent charge) Science & Technology Jitendra Singh said that the test flight was the first step in the last leg of the Gaganyaan mission.

"After today, many more test flights will be conducted. The most important is the crew escape system for the safe return of the crew which was also tested today....Today, India is in a position where we are ready to lead other nations too...." the minister added.

Former ISRO chief G Madhavan Nair said it was really good that ISRO was able to conduct the launch after analysing all the parametres of the computers by 10 am. "...they were able to attempt relaunch after correcting the anomaly. The launch vehicle is a special purpose vehicle developed around the Vikas engine, which is part of the GSLV rocket system..." he said.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin also lauded the space agency for successfully conducting a test flight of the Gaganyaan human space flight programme.

"Congratulations to @isro on the successful #Gaganyaan TV-D1 test flight! This achievement marks a significant milestone on (sic) India's journey to space exploration. Kudos to the entire team for their dedication and hard work. #ISRO," he said.

Former ISRO scientist Nambai Narayanan said everything went as expected after a small "suspense". "I just want to congratulate everyone. The Vikas engine has worked very well for the 59th time," he said.

Astrophysicist RC Kapoor said the mission has paved the way for three other missions before the launching of Vyommitra (India's female robot ISRO will send into space).

"It has been really very thrilling to watch the launch of test vehicle TV-D1, which is a predecessor to the eventual Gaganyaan that will carry Indian astronauts to space," he said.

"I must say that this paves a way for the test vehicle D2, D3 and D4 as there are supposed to be four test vehicle launches before Vyommitra goes to space, and then the crew model will be carrying Indian astronauts by end of 2024 or early 2025," Kapoor said.

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan took to X and said, "Congratulations to @isro for successfully accomplishing the first #Gaganyaan Mission Test Vehicle Flight (TV-D1). This marks a major step in launching India's own crewed space missions and proves our mettle in achieving substantial advancements in space research."