India's journey towards human spaceflight is marked by the Gaganyaan Program, initiated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to demonstrate its capabilities in crewed space missions. Announced in 2018, the Gaganyaan mission aims to send Indian astronauts, known as Vyomanauts or Gaganyatris, into low Earth orbit, focusing on crew safety, re-entry, and life support technologies.
ISRO's collaboration with international space agencies, particularly with Roscosmos, has been pivotal in accelerating its human spaceflight capabilities. This partnership has facilitated astronaut training and the development of essential technologies. The Gaganyaan mission serves as a precursor to more ambitious crewed missions, including potential lunar exploration.
Additionally, ISRO is working with NASA on the Artemis Program, which aims to return humans to the Moon. The collaboration includes Indian astronauts participating in the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the International Space Station (ISS), allowing them to engage in scientific research and gain experience in extended space habitation.
The initial training phase has included mission orientations, spacecraft familiarization with the SpaceX Dragon, and emergency preparedness training. Upcoming training will focus on scientific research in microgravity and various mission scenarios.