The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing to launch its first astronaut mission, Gaganyaan, next year. Before sending astronauts, ISRO will test spacecraft safety by sending a humanoid robot named Vyommitra into space.

Vyommitra, designed by ISRO’s Thiruvananthapuram unit, is built to mimic human movements and test conditions astronauts will face. Vyommitra's skull weighs 800 grams and measures 200 mm x 220 mm, crafted from a strong aluminum alloy to withstand pressure and vibrations in space.

The robot has movable arms, a face, and a neck, equipped with sensors that perform human-like tasks. Vyommitra’s primary role is to evaluate the effects of space travel on the human body.

The Gaganyaan mission, planned for 2025, will carry three Indian astronauts about 400 km above Earth for a three-day journey. Before this, ISRO will conduct two uncrewed missions, Gaganyaan-1 (G1) and Gaganyaan-2 (G2), as preparation.

In February, Prime Minister Narendra Modi selected four pilots for the mission: Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla. Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla has also been chosen for a joint ISRO-NASA mission to the International Space Station next year.

The G1 mission, set for December, will test spacecraft re-entry and safe landing in the sea. The G2 mission will carry Vyommitra in a pressurized crew module to study flight impacts on humans.