Vyommitra, Indian woman robot astronaut, prepares for historic spaceflight ahead of Gaganyaan mission

Feb 05, New Delhi – Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to send its female robot astronaut, Vyommitra, into space as a precursor to the ambitious Gaganyaan mission. The Gaganyaan mission marks India's inaugural human-crewed spaceflight, carrying Indian astronauts in space.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, announced that the uncrewed Vyommitra Mission is slated for the third quarter of this year, while the Gaganyaan mission is scheduled for the 2025 launch.

Vyommitra, a name derived from the Sanskrit words Vyoma (meaning Space) and Mitra (meaning Friend), is a technologically advanced female robot astronaut. Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted its capabilities, explaining that Vyommitra can monitor module parameters, issue alerts, and execute life support operations. The robot astronaut is equipped to handle tasks such as operating six panels and responding to queries.

The Gaganyaan project aims to demonstrate India's human space capabilities by launching a crew of astronauts into a 400-kilometre orbit and safely bringing them back to Earth, landing in India's sea waters. This ambitious endeavour represents a significant stride for India in the field of space exploration.