The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has shared major information regarding the preparations for the Gaganyaan mission. ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan said on Saturday that Gaganyaan is India’s state-of-the-art and technology-based mission. Under the mission, ‘Human Rating’ of the launch vehicle and development of all necessary safety systems has been completed. Now three uncrewed missions will be conducted before sending actual astronauts, of which preparations for the first mission are in the final stages.
Three big tests will be conducted before the human mission
Talking to the media, Dr. Narayanan said, ‘No risk can be taken in the Gaganyaan mission. Therefore, before sending humans into space, all technologies and safety systems will be tested in several stages. He told that the date of the first unmanned mission will be announced soon.
Testing of semi-cryogenic engine became a big achievement
He described the recently successful power head test of the semi-cryogenic engine as a big achievement for ISRO. According to him, this test successfully tested almost 90 percent thrust load excluding the thrust chamber of the engine, which is an important milestone for future full engine tests. He also informed that now preparations for full engine testing are underway. The satellites are also almost ready and the dates of the programs related to them will be announced soon.
Hot test conducted at 175 ton thrust level in Mahendragiri
ISRO said in an official statement issued on Saturday that on June 24, 2026, a successful ‘hot test’ of the Power Head Test Article (PHTA) of the semi-cryogenic engine was conducted at the 175 tonne thrust level at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. The power head test article covers almost all the major systems of the engine, except the thrust chamber.
Big success in the eighth hot test
This was the eighth hot test of this test series. The objective was to assess the engine’s performance after pre-burner ignition and its stable performance at higher thrust levels. Earlier tests had been conducted at 94 ton (47 percent) and 120 ton (60 percent) thrust levels. For the first time the engine was successfully operated at 175 tonnes i.e. about 88 percent capacity. During testing the main turbopump performed well even at 400 and 500 bar outlet pressure.
ISRO moves towards 100 percent capacity testing
According to ISRO, the test was completely as per expectations and all the technical parameters of the engine were recorded at the prescribed level. This success has further strengthened the confidence of the scientists that now rapid progress can be made in the direction of testing the engine at 200 tonnes i.e. 100 percent capacity. This achievement is considered extremely important for the development of indigenous semi-cryogenic engine and India’s future space missions.