Manned Gaganyaan mission in first quarter of 2027: Jitendra Singh
NEW DELHI: The launch of India's maiden human space flight - Gaganyaan - is now scheduled for the first quarter of 2027, space minister Jitendra Singh said on Tuesday.Accompanied by Isro chairman V Narayanan during a media interaction here, the minister said the successful completion of TV-D1 mission and the first uncrewed test vehicle abort mission earlier this year have laid a strong foundation for the upcoming test schedule. The second test vehicle mission (TV-D2) is slated for later in 2025, followed by the uncrewed orbital flights of Gaganyaan involving a female robot, Vyommitra . These milestones will culminate in India's maiden human spaceflight in 2027, marking the country's formal entry into the elite group of nations - currently comprising the US, Russia and China - capable of human spaceflight.Calling it a "historic mission", Singh said "the Gaganyaan programme not only involves Isro scientists, but several key institutes like IITs, IISc, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and armed forces, particularly Navy personnel, are also playing key roles in preparation for the mission." Hinting at Gaganyaan and Deep Ocean Mission launches, Singh said, "India will explore both space and deep sea in 2026." The Isro chairman said govt has increased the Gaganyaan budget to Rs 20,193 crore from an initial outlay of Rs 10,000 crore as programme will now involve eight missions, of which two will carry human crew and other six will be uncrewed. "It is not an Isro programme, it is a national programme," said Narayanan while informing that Isro has successfully completed 7,000 tests to certify the human rating of its launch vehicle for Gaganyaan.The human-rated LVM3 vehicle, crew escape system, crew module, and service module are in final testing and integration. Astronaut-designates have completed physical, psychological, and spaceflight training, and are now in the final phase of mission-specific preparation, Narayanan confirmed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
India achieves breakthrough in green hydrogen production using only solar energy
In a landmark scientific advancement, Indian researchers have developed a scalable, next-generation device capable of producing green hydrogen by splitting water molecules using only solar energy —without the need for fossil fuels or costly breakthrough comes from scientists at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS) in Bengaluru, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The innovation marks a major step forward in India's clean energy mission and the global transition to sustainable fuels , the Ministry of Science & Technology said in a statement on Friday. Green hydrogen, considered one of the cleanest fuels, has the potential to decarbonize heavy industries, power vehicles, and store renewable energy . However, large-scale and cost-effective production of green hydrogen has long been a technological challenge - until now. Smart design for a solar-powered future The research team, led by Dr. Ashutosh K. Singh, has engineered a state-of-the-art silicon-based photoanode using an n-i-p heterojunction architecture, which integrates: n-type TiO₂Undoped (intrinsic) siliconp-type NiO This multi-layered configuration enhances light absorption, charge separation, and transport efficiency—key for converting sunlight into hydrogen fuel. The materials were deposited using magnetron sputtering, a scalable, industry-ready fabrication technique. High performance and durability The device recorded impressive performance metrics: Surface photovoltage of 600 mVLow onset potential of ~0.11 VRHEContinuous operation for over 10 hours in alkaline conditions with just a 4% drop in efficiency The team also scaled the device successfully, with a 25 cm² photoanode demonstrating consistent and effective solar water-splitting results. 'This device combines high efficiency, durability, and scalability,' said Dr. Singh. 'It's a significant step toward affordable, solar-driven hydrogen production that could transform our energy landscape.' Published and peer-recognised The research has been published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A by the Royal Society of Chemistry. Scientists believe this innovation could pave the way for decentralized hydrogen energy systems , powering homes, factories, and even entire cities using sunlight. National and global implications This breakthrough aligns with India's broader mission to lead in green energy technologies under the National Green Hydrogen Mission , aiming for carbon neutrality and energy independence. With further development and support, this indigenous innovation may soon play a vital role in shaping a cleaner, greener, and self-reliant energy future.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE price drop alert: Get 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variant at up to Rs. 30,000 discount
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE is on discount: Samsung Galaxy S24 FE is grabbing attention as Amazon slashes its price below ₹36,000—an exciting twist for value-driven smartphone fans. This isn't just another discount; it's reshaping what buyers expect from a flagship experience at under ₹ 40k. With Galaxy AI features like Circle to Search and Live Translate still intact, the buzz is that the S24 FE now offers premium functionality without the premium price tag . As summer sales heat up across India, this drop is drawing both long-time Samsung loyalists and first-time buyers into the conversation. Keep reading to learn how this Samsung Galaxy S24 FE deal might be the most talked-about smartphone offer of the season—and why it's turning heads online and offline. Samsung Galaxy S24 FE specifications Last September, the blue, graphite, and mint-coloured Samsung Galaxy S24 FE was introduced in India. It has a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X full-HD+ (1,080 x 2,340 pixels) display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz. An Exynos 2400e SoC, 8GB of RAM, and up to 512GB of internal storage power its operation. A 50-megapixel primary sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), an 8-megapixel telephoto shooter with OIS and 3x optical zoom, and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera make up the Galaxy S24 FE's triple rear camera unit. It has a front camera with 10 megapixels. Because of its IP68 rating, it is resistant to dust and splashes. It has a 4,700mAh battery that a 25W cable can charge. Samsung Galaxy S24 FE price, discount, and offer The base Galaxy S24 FE model with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage is now available on Amazon for Rs. 34,765, which is less than the Rs. 59,999 launch price. Originally priced at Rs. 65,999, the 256GB storage model with the same amount of RAM is now available for Rs. 43,300. Additionally, purchases made using specific bank credit cards and EMI transactions can receive discounts of up to Rs. 1,250 from the online marketplace. As a result, the net effective price will drop to Rs. 33,515. Starting at Rs. 1,685 per month, the e-commerce company is offering free EMI for six months. Users of ICICI Bank credit cards can also receive a discount of up to Rs. 1,565 while using Amazon Pay. For the latest and more interesting tech news, keep reading Indiatimes Tech.
Hans India
4 hours ago
- Hans India
Varsity launches innovative ‘industry inside the campus' initiative
Belagavi: In a pioneering step towards integrating industry with academics, Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belagavi, has launched a novel initiative titled 'Industry Inside the Campus'. This move comes on the heels of the university making headlines for declaring exam results within an hour—yet another testament to its push towards student-centric reforms. To implement this new concept, VTU has established the Visvesvaraya Research and Innovation Foundation (VRIF) on its main campus, opening up space for companies in drone technology, software development, electric vehicles, IoT, PCB manufacturing, AR/VR, and more. These companies are now operational on campus, with full-fledged training for final-year engineering students set to begin from August. Speaking to this reporter , VTU Vice-Chancellor Prof. S. Vidyashankar said, 'Students now gain hands-on experience and practical exposure within the campus. We've established rapid innovation centres such as the Schneider Acceleration Centre, Proteus, Cadence, and an Electrical Vehicle Lab to bridge the skill gap. Through VRIF, we aim to create not just employees but future employers.' One of the key players in the initiative is Saras Aerospace, a startup established in 2022, specializing in carbon fiber drones and airframe production. Co-founder Brijesh Kumar Koparde noted, 'Thanks to VTU, we operate from within the campus. We train students not only in drone technology but also in equipment used for drone testing. We've delivered over 200 drones across the country, including to the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Our product range includes drones valued between RS1.5 lakh and RS 30 lakh.'Currently, nearly 90 students are undergoing hands-on training with Saras Aerospace. Rajat Hanshate, a final-year engineering student, shared, 'I've developed an Unmanned Ground Vehicle during my internship here. From 3D modeling to integrating sensors and cameras, everything was facilitated. I gained immense exposure to the practical aspects of drone-making for both defence and agriculture.' Another student, Swastik Hegde, emphasized the value of his training, 'I've been interning here for two months. I've learned PCB design and IoT sensor integration. I even worked on a Retractor Landing Gear project. I'm truly grateful to VTU for creating such platforms.' The 'Industry Inside the Campus' initiative is expected to benefit at least 2,500 students in the coming academic year. The university hopes this integrated industry-academia ecosystem will not only make graduates job-ready but also empower them to become entrepreneurs. 'This is not just about employment, it's about entrepreneurship,' reiterated Prof. Vidyashankar.
