Vyommitra, the AI-enabled half-humanoid robot developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), will spearhead the uncrewed test mission of the ambitious Gaganyaan programme, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan announced Thursday. Designed to simulate human functions in space, Vyommitra—meaning "space friend" in Sanskrit—features a female humanoid form from the waist up, built primarily from aluminium alloy to endure high pressure and vibrations. It can monitor spacecraft parameters, interact in Hindi and English, and perform tasks like switch panel operations and environmental alerts.

The robot's debut flight is slated for late December 2025 aboard the Gaganyaan G1 mission, orbiting Earth at 400 km for a three-day duration before a safe sea splashdown. This precursor unmanned launch aims to validate systems for India's first human spaceflight, replacing animal testing with robotic simulations to study microgravity and radiation effects on the human body.

Narayanan highlighted ongoing preparations to address critical factors such as temperature, pressure, humidity, and carbon dioxide levels, with an integrated escape system for enhanced safety. Nine parachutes will facilitate the crew module's controlled descent into Indian waters.

Gaganyaan, approved in 2018 with a budget of about ₹90 billion, represents a milestone in India's space ambitions, building on successes like Chandrayaan-3. The mission involves collaboration across ISRO centres, the Indian Air Force, the Navy, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and academic institutions.

Vyommitra's role extends to crewed flights, where it will assist astronauts by mimicking human behaviours and supporting life support operations. Unveiled in 2020, the robot's engineering models have completed trials, paving the way for full integration.

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Narayanan's update underscores ISRO's commitment to reliability, with manned missions potentially following in 2026 carrying a crew of three. As India eyes a permanent space station by 2035, Vyommitra's deployment marks a technological leap, fostering innovation in AI and robotics for future explorations.

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