New Delhi: The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Space, Jitendra Singh, said today the Human Space Mission ‘Gaganyaan’ is targeted for December 2021, and the Gaganyaan Program has been approved by the Government of India. The design and configuration of major subsystems are finalised. The procurement and system/subsystem realisation for tests and flight has commenced.

The crew selection and training process for Gaganyaan Mission is progressing well including the training in Russia.

ISRO’s heavy lift launcher GSLV-Mk-III is identified for the Mission. It has the requisite payload carrying capacity for Orbital Module in desired elliptical orbit. Process for human rating of GSLV Mk-III is progressing well.

ISRO has wide experience in technological areas with respect to Launch vehicle, spacecraft management, ground infrastructure etc. ISRO has taken steps for human rating of existing systems to ensure crew safety.

In certain areas where ISRO lacks experience such as Human centric systems, crew training, and crew recovery, ISRO is planning to collaborate with national and international agencies. MoUs in this regard have already been signed with DRDO labs, Indian Air Force, and the Russian space agency.

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on 4 December.