On Wednesday, V Narayanan, the Chairman of ISRO, announced that progress on the uncrewed Gaganyaan mission is proceeding smoothly. During his keynote speech at the opening session of the 2nd International Conference on Smart Spacecraft Mission Operations, he emphasized the significance of the upcoming mission, stating, “We convene at this conference just ahead of the launch of the first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission, which holds great importance for India. This mission will be preceded by three additional uncrewed missions. Currently, all preparations for the initial uncrewed mission are on track, although it presents its own set of challenges as it marks the beginning of the Gaganyaan series.”

The Department of Space has announced that the launch of the first Gaganyaan mission is expected to take place in the first quarter of 2026.

Attendees of the conference included former ISRO leaders A S Kiran Kumar and S Somanath, as well as ISRO center directors from various parts of the country, students, and representatives from space startups.

M Sankaran, the director of the UR Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru, discussed advancements in space technology, noting, “Future missions will integrate both robotics and human involvement, representing a significant shift and introducing a new dimension to mission operations.”

Senior scientist Kiran Kumar remarked that space exploration is no longer limited to state actors. “The landscape is evolving quickly, with numerous non-state entities participating in space endeavors. Operating space objects has become increasingly complex. It is essential to navigate the dynamics between state and private stakeholders while fostering collaboration among nations to utilize space for the benefit of all humanity.”

Narayanan also highlighted the growing importance of incorporating artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques in conjunction with the development of cloud-based ground systems.