India Plans Two Crewed Gaganyaan Missions By 2028

India's Gaganyaan mission is set for an expansion, now including two crewed and six uncrewed flights by 2028, as confirmed by Union Minister Jitendra Singh. The program's budget has been increased to Rs 20,193 crore to support these enhancements, which also encompass the development of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station. Originally announced in 2019 with a single crewed flight planned for 2022, the mission has faced delays attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and necessary design revisions. The spacecraft aims to launch a habitable capsule into a 400 km orbit and safely return it, positioning India among the few nations capable of human spaceflight. The initiative also focuses on developing a life support system domestically, with aspirations for a national space station operational by 2035 and a crewed lunar mission by 2040. This strategic move reflects India's commitment to advancing its space capabilities.