New Delhi, August 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India is preparing to enter a new phase of space exploration, with ambitious programmes spanning human spaceflight, orbital infrastructure, planetary missions and reusable launch technologies, according to a government fact-sheet.
The upcoming missions are aimed at strengthening India’s capabilities for sustained human presence in space, complex orbital operations and deep-space exploration, supporting the country’s ambition to emerge as a leading global space power.
The Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme, approved in January 2019, was expanded and revised in September 2024 with a total outlay of Rs 20,193 crore. The programme now covers eight missions, including precursor flights for the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS-01).
Gaganyaan aims to send three Indian astronauts to a 400-km orbit for a three-day mission. The first uncrewed experimental flight, designed to validate key technologies including the Vyommitra half-humanoid, is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026. The crewed mission is targeted for 2027.
India’s planned five-module Bharatiya Antariksh Station is targeted for operationalisation by 2035, with BAS-01 scheduled for launch by 2028. The station is expected to support long-duration human spaceflight, microgravity research and advanced space operations.
ISRO is also studying SPADEX-2 and SPADEX-3 to advance orbital docking capabilities required for future Chandrayaan-4, Gaganyaan and BAS missions. The technology could enable spacecraft docking, sample and crew transfers, as well as power, fluid and propellant transfer between spacecraft.
Beyond human spaceflight, India is preparing the Venus Orbiter Mission for a targeted March 2028 launch. The mission will study Venus’ geology, atmosphere and ionosphere while demonstrating advanced aerobraking and thermal-management technologies.
ISRO is simultaneously developing a 200-tonne-thrust semi-cryogenic engine and a semi-cryogenic booster stage for the LVM3 to increase payload capacity. The agency is also demonstrating booster recovery using Vertical Take-off and Vertical Landing (VTVL) technology, with the aim of enabling reusable rocket stages and reducing future launch costs.
The Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), being developed with LOX-Methane propulsion, is planned as a partially reusable system offering higher payload capacity and more frequent, cost-effective launches.
ISRO is also developing a winged Orbital Re-entry Vehicle under its Reusable Launch Vehicle programme to demonstrate orbital re-entry and runway landing. Alongside this, air-breathing propulsion and a technology demonstrator vehicle are being developed for more efficient atmospheric flight and advanced reusable launch systems.
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