(Image source from: timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

The chief of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) detailed about the mission saying that the first spaceflight in December 2021 may carry only one person although the four men who were shortlisted for the programme will receive physical fitness for 11 months in Russia. It is said to be the first manned mission to space and is named as Gaganyaan.

India is expected to send the astronauts to the earth-centered orbit known as the low earth orbit and has an altitude of 2,000km wherein most of the manmade objects are placed in the outer space. The mission is said to cost Rs 10,000 crore.

Sivan has confirmed saying that all the astronauts that were selected were men though their identities have not been revealed. “I cannot reveal the identities of the four individuals shortlisted for Gaganyaan mission, but all of them are men,” as said to Hindustan Times.

The space mission has been announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15 as he said, “an Indian son or daughter” will be carrying the national flag on the trip when the country celebrates 75th year of Independence in 2022.

The Indian Space agency has said that, the training for the four selected astronauts will be started from the third week of January in Russia.

The chairperson of ISRO has said that the Gaganyaan mission which includes the design of the crew and the service module has also been completed.

The mission is said to take off from the second launch pad at Sriharikota at the Satish Dhawan Space Center. Re-modelling of the launch pad is being done in order to allow human presence.

A humanoid robot is also taking shape that is said to be sent on the unmanned flight. “This humanoid will basically mimic human functions, will record parameters such as blood pressure, heart rate, etc. This is getting ready. The two unmanned flights will let us ensure whether everything is working well, whether the environment in the modules are controlled, whether it is safe for humans. Like any other progr4amme, after two successful test flights, we will undertake the operational flight,” Sivan said.

By Shrithika Kushangi