The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced that the Gaganyaan mission, India’s first crewed spaceflight program, will not launch in 2025 as initially planned. ISRO Chairman S. Somanath confirmed the revised schedule, stating that the mission is now expected to take place in 2026.
Speaking during the Sardar Patel Memorial Lecture at Akashvani (All India Radio), Somanath explained that the delay reflects ISRO’s cautious approach to ensure the safety and success of the mission. Several uncrewed missions will precede the main flight to test systems and prepare for a secure human spaceflight.
Preparations for Gaganyaan continue, with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, one of the four astronauts selected for the mission, currently training with Axiom Space.
He will join an international crew for a scientific mission to the Space Station, travelling aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft. His participation in the mission demonstrates India’s growing involvement in international space operations.
During the lecture, Somanath also provided updates on other key ISRO projects. The Chandrayaan-4 mission, focused on returning lunar samples, is scheduled for 2028.
The NISAR mission, a collaborative Earth observation project with NASA, is on track for launch in 2025. ISRO also announced a future moon-landing mission, Chandrayaan-5, in partnership with Japan’s JAXA. Although no exact launch date has been confirmed, it is expected to occur after 2028.
ISRO is aiming to increase India’s contribution to the global space economy from 2 per cent to 10 per cent over the next decade. This goal highlights the agency’s commitment to establishing India as a major force in the international space industry.
Despite the Gaganyaan mission’s delay, the program remains central to India’s space ambitions. ISRO’s careful planning reflects a focus on balancing innovation with safety, ensuring the mission’s eventual success and strengthening India’s presence in space exploration.
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India’s Gaganyaan Mission delayed, won’t be launched in 2025, announces ISRO
