India's space agency, ISRO, is gearing up for a historic test mission by integrating an AI-powered humanoid robot named Vyommitra into the Gaganyaan crew capsule. The mission, scheduled for December 2025, aims to test the safety systems and life-support mechanisms of the spacecraft, paving the way for India's first crewed spaceflight.
Vyommitra, which translates to "space friend," is a half-humanoid robot designed to simulate human functions during flight. Equipped with advanced AI systems, it can read the crew module's displays and controls, operate mission-critical switches and systems, and even communicate with ground teams in both Hindi and English. The robot's skull is crafted from heat-resistant and lightweight AlSi10Mg aluminum alloy, weighing just 800 grams.
Vyommitra's capabilities include analyzing flight procedures, monitoring environmental parameters like air pressure and temperature, and handling panels and emergency functions. It will interact directly with ISRO's mission control center on Earth, reporting on the health of its internal systems and any anomalies in cabin conditions. This data will be crucial in validating Gaganyaan's life-support and safety mechanisms, ensuring that when Indian astronauts eventually make their journey, all systems will have been thoroughly tested.
The Gaganyaan mission is a significant milestone in India's human spaceflight program. The uncrewed test flight will carry Vyommitra to an orbit of 400 km and last for two days. The mission will test the spacecraft's life-support systems, safety protocols, and re-entry mechanisms. The success of this mission will pave the way for India's first crewed spaceflight, scheduled for 2027.
This mission demonstrates India's growing expertise in astronautics and international space collaboration. ISRO's chairman, S. Somanath, described the mission as a "historic leap for indigenous innovation in space technology." The integration of Vyommitra into the Gaganyaan crew capsule is a significant step towards realizing India's ambitions in human spaceflight.
