Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his live address to the nation on its 72nd Independence Day, announced that the country will be sending its first manned space mission by 2022. The mission will be called Gaganyaan and will put India in the league with countries like the US, Russia, and China who have been able to pull off a manned space mission.

© ISRO

The Indian Space Research Organisation, better known as ISRO, plans to send three Indian astronauts into space and the first mission is set to take place within 40 months from now. It is estimated the mission will cost $1.28 billion or Rs 90 crores. 

The first phase of the mission will involve deploying the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV MK III) which also host a crew of trees into a low earth orbit. The mission is expected to last five to seven days. The GSLV MK III is India's most powerful rocket and was first used last year in June. The rocket was used to deliver a GSAT-19 satellite into orbit to provide internet access.

© ISRO

ISRO plans to launch the rocket from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh from the same space launch station that was used for the GSLV MK III launch last year. The same space station was used to launch the Polar Satellite mission that delivered a record-breaking 104 satellites into orbit. 

The plan is not set in stone as of now as the GSLV MK III nor the GSLV MK-II have been tested for flight with humans. ISRO also told The Times of India that it is still looking for locations for a possible landing site. The landing site needs to have no habitation around them for a safe landing. 

Source: NDTV