The brief

Analyst view

• ISRO operates LVM3, India's most powerful launcher, which has successfully deployed Chandrayaan-3 to the Moon and OneWeb satellite batches.
• Gaganyaan (crewed program) targets uncrewed test G1 late 2026, crewed launch Q1 2027, sending 3 astronauts to 400 km for 7 days.
• If successful, India will become only the fourth country to independently achieve human spaceflight, after Russia, USA, and China.

Technical approach

As reported

Heavy lifter

LVM3 three-stage vehicle

Two S200 solid boosters (205 t propellant each), L110 liquid core, C25 cryogenic upper stage. All indigenous, 8,000 kg to LEO.

Crewed capsule

Gaganyaan orbital spacecraft

Carries 3 astronauts, docks with service module, parachute/airbag landing. Vyommitra robot tests systems in uncrewed flights.

Launch site

Satish Dhawan Space Centre

SDSC Sriharikota upgraded with crew-flight support infrastructure for Gaganyaan launches.