India tests crewed spacecraft.

India successfully conducted its first unmanned test flight of the Gaganyaan spacecraft on October 21, which is designed to carry three astronauts.

The Gaganyaan spacecraft test launch took place at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on Sriharikota Island on October 21. Photo: AFP/ISRO

According to plan, the Gaganyaan spacecraft will carry three astronauts into Earth orbit in 2025, demonstrating the technical capabilities of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). The launch on October 21st was to test the emergency escape system of the crewed module. The module separated from the booster and landed gently in the sea about 10 minutes after launch.

"I am very pleased to announce that the mission has been successfully launched," said S. Somanath, head of ISRO. The launch was originally scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ( Hanoi time) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on Sriharikota Island, but was delayed by two hours due to bad weather and engine problems.

ISRO will conduct a series of 20 major tests, including carrying robots into space, before the actual manned missions take place. Gaganyaan is the first mission of its kind in India and is expected to cost around $1.08 billion, according to ISRO.

India plans to send astronauts beyond Earth's atmosphere for three days, then bring them back safely and land them gently in the seas within its territory. Previously, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced plans to send people to the Moon by 2040.

2023 was a year of significant achievements for India in space. In August, India became the fourth country to land a spacecraft on the Moon, after Russia, the United States, and China. In September, the country launched a spacecraft to observe the outermost layers of the Sun from orbit.

India's space program has developed significantly since its first lunar orbital launch in 2008. India is also gradually catching up with the achievements of space powers at a lower cost. The country is planning to collaborate with Japan to launch another lunar probe in 2025 and an orbiter to Venus within the next two years.

Experts suggest that India keeps costs low by copying and adapting existing technology, while also possessing a large pool of highly skilled engineers who earn lower salaries than foreign engineers.

Thu Thao (According to AFP )

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