Over the last 5 years, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched 22 satellites, including 7 Earth Observation, 4 communication, 2 navigation, 3 space science, and 6 technology demonstration missions. Responding to a Parliament question, the Department of Space (DoS) provided a list of all 22 satellites launched by the ISRO between December 2020 and December 2025, along with other activities being undertaken by the space organisation.
As per the reply of the Department of Space, only two out of the 22 satellite projects, namely Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1, had a time overrun of 28 and 46 months, respectively, while none of them had a cost overrun. The time overrun in the Aditya-L1 was caused by various factors, including a change in the scope, a change in orbit from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to Lagrangian Point (L1), requiring changes in the satellite configuration, a longer cycle for the payload development, and procurement of long lead items. Similarly, the time overrun in the Chandrayaan-3 happened as a result of the time taken in reconfiguring the systems to incorporate suggestions by the Chandrayaan-2 Failure Analysis Committee, the delay caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic, the conduct of the New Special Test and New Sensor development.
ISRO plans to send its first crewed mission to space by 2027-28
The DoS mentioned the ongoing Gaganyaan Programme, which was sanctioned by the Government of India in January 2019. The programme is aimed at demonstrating India’s ability to send humans into space to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). It had a mandate to undertake two uncrewed missions in identical configuration and one crewed mission with a total budget approval of ₹9,023 Crore. The target schedule of the crewed mission launch was originally set in May 2022. The scope of the Gaganyaan Programme was expanded in October 2024 from three to eight missions. An uncrewed mission (G1) and four precursor missions for Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) with a total revised budget provision of ₹20,193 crore were added to it. The first crewed mission under the programme is now expected to be completed in 2027-28.
To accomplish the planned missions under the Gaganyaan Programme, the ISRO is developing and realising various systems. As crewed mission demands very high safety standards, the ISRO has completed the testing of important systems, including a human-rated launch vehicle, propulsion systems for the crew and service modules, and the parachute-based landing system. The ISRO has developed and successfully tested the crucial crew escape motors, and it is working on developing India’s own Environmental Control and Life Support Systems for astronauts.
ISRO developing infrastructure and capabilities to achieve India’s space vision
The ISRO has achieved major infrastructural milestones, including the establishment of the Orbital Module Preparation Facility, Gaganyaan Control Centre, Crew training facility, and upgradation of the second launch pad. It has also completed precursor missions such as TV-D1 and IADT-01, along with the setting up of ground tracking networks, terrestrial links and IDRSS-1 feeder stations. In addition to that, the Crew Module Recovery plan and assets to be deployed have been finalised. For the first uncrewed mission (G1), all HLVM3 stages and CES motors have been prepared, and the Crew and Service Module systems have also been realised. Activities relating to assembly and integration are in the final stages.
The DoS highlighted how India has achieved self-reliance in space transportation systems by developing the abilities to launch satellites up to 10 tons to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and 4.2 tons to Geo-Synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) through the currently operational PSLV, GSLV and LVM3 launch vehicles. These launch vehicles have enabled India to indigenousley launch satellites for earth observation, communication, navigation and space exploration. To meet the goals of the expanded space vision, the government of India approved the development of a Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV). The vehicle will provide a maximum payload capability of 30 tons to Low Earth Orbit. The ISRO is developing reusable launch vehicle technologies, including a partially reusable version of the NGLV that can carry 14 tonnes to LEO to reduce the cost of space missions. Additionally, a winged body upper stage, which can fly back from space to the Earth and land automatically on a runway, is also being developed by the ISRO.
The ISRO is working on developing more powerful and efficient propulsion systems, including a high-thrust (2000kN) semi-cryogenic engine for induction in the LVM3 vehicle. It is also conceptualising an environmentally friendly methane-based propulsion system for a high-thrust engine for the Next Generation Launch Vehicle, which is to be used in the proposed Crewed Moon Mission. Apart from this, the development of an air-breathing propulsion system is in progress for a Dual-Fuel Scramjet engine.
The government of India has proposed to elevate the budget for critical space infrastructure and R&D projects of the Department of Space. Under the Space Vision 2047, the government aims to build its own space station, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, by 2035 and send an Indian astronaut to the Moon by 2040. For this end, the government has given a go-ahead to five important R&D intensive projects, namely, the Gaganyaan follow-on mission; the Chandrayaan follow-on missions, including Chandrayaan-4 Lunar Sample Return Mission and the Chandrayaan-5/LUPEX mission; the Venus Orbiter Mission; and the development of the Next Generation Launch Vehicle. For the expansion of the space mission related insfrastructure, the government had approved two launch pads; one at Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu and a third launch pad for the next generation of Launch Vehicles.
