India To Launch Two Unmanned Missions Before Flying Gaganyaan By End Of 2022: Union Minister Jitendra Singh

India will first launch unmanned missions ahead of Gaganyaan towards end of 2022, Singh said, adding that it would be accompanied with robots that have been named 'Vayumitra'.

India To Launch Two Unmanned Missions Before Flying Gaganyaan By End Of 2022: File Image

New Delhi: India is set to launch two unmanned missions next year before the human spaceflight programme 'Gaganyaan' by the end of 2022, said Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Thursday.

Talking about the status of the other space projects, Singh -- during the Question Hour in Rajya Sabha -- said that the Venus mission is planned for 2022, while the Solar Mission for 2022-23 and the Space Station by 2030.

Singh, the Minister of State in the Department of Space, said the space projects have been delayed due to Covid-19 pandemic.

"Next year, we are going to have two unmanned missions before flying the ‘Gaganyaan’. That is usually the Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) that is followed. Because of the pandemic, it got delayed," he said.

In the beginning of next year, possibly India will first launch unmanned missions ahead of Gaganyaan towards end of 2022, Singh said, adding that it would be accompanied with robots that have been named 'Vayumitra'.

"Following that, we will possibly in 2023 have Gaganyaan, that will undoubtedly place India in the elite club of nations being the fourth one after US, China and Russia," he added.

The minister further said that the Gaganyaan programme will be different from other human missions by other countries in the sense that this will be more cost-effective and inclusive.

The programme will place India as a frontline nation and improve the country's capabilities as far as its robotic missions are concerned, he said, adding that this will also inspire youngsters and start-ups.

The minister said that besides Gaganyaan, "We are going to have a number of other missions. We will have a Venus mission by 2023. Soon, we will have solar missions called 'Aditya Solar mission' planned for 2022-23."

Chandrayana got delayed due to Covid pandemic and maybe it will be launched by the next year, Singh said.

"By 2030, we will possibly be able to set up a space station which will be unique of its kind," he said, adding that the journey of India's ascent to the top has already begun through the space route.

Replying to a query if ISRO has identified 17 technologies at lower cost from start-ups for Gaganyaan, the minister said, "There are going to be several research modules accompanying Gaganyaan and it will involve start-ups and more than 500 industries."

For the first time since India’s Independence, private industry will be involved in space technology, he said.

"As a result of this, we are now going to have a number of partnerships for nano satellites trying to put in their mission in collaboration with ISRO," he said.

Host technologies can be innovated in wide range of areas, involving the industry, which pave way for the newer economy getting generated through the medium of space technology, Singh added.

The minister informed the Upper House that India has so far launched 42 foreign satellites from 34 countries and has generated a revenue of USD 56 million.