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ISRO to launch India’s female robot astronaut, Vyommitra into space ahead of Gaganyaan mission.

ISRO To Launch Humanoid Robot Vyommitra To Space

• The uncrewed ‘VyomMitra’ mission  is scheduled for the third quarter of this year while a manned mission “Gaganyaan” is scheduled to be launched next year, that is 2025.

About Vyommitra: 

• Vyommitra, a creation of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), derives its name from the Sanskrit words Vyoma (meaning “Space”) and Mitra (meaning “Friend”). 
  • This female robot has been specifically crafted for unmanned test missions preceding the Gaganyaan human spaceflight endeavour. 
  • Classified as a half-humanoid robot due to the absence of legs, Vyommitra possesses the ability to bend forward and sideways. 

• Key Features of Vyommitra

• • Resembling a human, it features facial expressions, speech capabilities, and sight functions. 
    • Its functionalities extend to operating switch panels and serving as a companion to astronauts, engaging in conversations, recognizing them, responding to inquiries & navigation & life support systems.
    • To provide swift updates and serve as a crucial element in monitoring the mission’s progress towards success.
    • To monitor module parameters, issue alerts, and perform life support operations. 
  • Its AI-enabled design, allowing it to withstand vibrations and shocks during flight. 
  • It will collect valuable data on the effects of space travel on human physiology.

About GaganYaan Mission

• Gaganyaan mission is a space mission to demonstrate ISRO’s human spaceflight capability by launching a human crew to an orbit of 400 km and bringing them safely back to earth.
• Launch Vehicle: Mark-3 (LVM3/GSLV Mk3) rocket.
• The project utilized, incorporating internal expertise, industry experience, academic and research agencies’ capabilities, and cutting-edge technologies from foreign organizations. 
• Progress So Far in Gaganyaan Mission: 
  • Recently, the Gaganyaan Test Vehicle (TV-D1) – a test platform to validate the Crew Escape System (CES) abort demonstration – was launched successfully from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota.
  • The human rating of the launch vehicle is complete. 
  • All the propulsion stages are qualified. 
• Now, the uncrewed unmanned robot flight ‘Vyommitra’ will take place this year.

News Source: Mint